Sonia, Patil visit Jaipur

Jaipur, May 15 (UNI) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today paid a visit here to meet Tuesday's serial blasts victims and take stock of the situation.

Ms Gandhi anf Mr Patil arrived here this morning by a special plane.

They visited various areas, including Sanganeri Gate, Manak Chowk Chauper, Kotwali and Chandpol, where serial blasts took place.

Ms Gandhi and Mr Patil later visited the SMS Hospital and met the blasts victims who were being treated there.

Talking to mediapersons at Chandpol Hanuman Temple, Ms Gandhi condemned the blasts as ''unfortunate incident''.

Mr Patil assured all possible help from the Centre to the state government.

The Home Minister evaded a reply on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani's demand for re-introduction of POTA.

He, however, assured that the government was determined to take action against those involved in disruptive activities like the one carried out in Jaipur.

''We are required to ensure that acts and intentions of those who are behind incidents like serial blasts do not succeed,'' Mr Patil said, while calling them an act of ''cowardice and a crime against humanity''.

The Home Minister praised the people of Jaipur for upholding peace and communal harmony and said they had given a befitting reply to disruptive forces.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narain Meena, AICC General Secretary and former Rajasthan chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and several Congress leaders accompanied Ms Gandhi.

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