UP govt rules out possibility of RDX in Gorakhpur blasts

Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today ruled out the possibility of RDX being used in the contemporaneous blasts, which rocked Gorakhpur last evening.

''Prima facie, the explosives were crude and thus, did not cause much damage. Till now, we have not got any clue of RDX being used in the serial blasts. Infact, ammonia nitrate was used,'' principal secretary (home) K Chadramauli said.

''The blast were planned very strategically. Had the explosion been more powerful, the consequences would have been devastating.'' he observed.

He said ''so far, no terrorist outfit has taken the responsibility of the blasts, but UP STF will crack the case soon with the help of clues received from the witnesses. The blast site has been cordonned off and the samples collected from the site have been sent for forensic examination.'' Owing to a blast at historical Mecca Mosque near world famous Char Minar in Hyderabad ten days back and the recent Samjhauta Express blast, police is keeing a close vigil, he maintained.

The principal secretary said the UP Police has vital clues.

Since, the Special Task Force (STF) of police is still investigating the case, it would be immature to disclose anything now, Mr Chadramauli said.

He further noted that the explosives recovered from the Faizabad Railway Station are used in the manufacturing of crackers. However, the case in being investigated.

Four people were seriously wounded in three explosions which occurred within five minutes duration between 1900 hrs and 1915 hrs at a petrol pump, Baldev Plaza Market and Hotel York in the busy Gol Ghar area here last evening.

Meanwhile, red alert has been sounded in UP. The internationl border that UP shares with Nepal besides all other sensitive places in the state have been put on high alert.

Security has been strengthened at all important religious and historical monuments, including Ram Janmahoomi, Ayodhya, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura and Taj Mahal in Agra.

UNI