Patna serial blasts: No security lapse, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said there was no intelligence input regarding the serial blasts that coincided with Gujarat CM Narendra Modi`s `Hunkar rally` in the state capital on Sunday.

Zee Media Bureau/Hemant Abhishek Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said there was no intelligence input, either from the central or state government regarding the serial blasts that coincided with Gujarat CM Narendra Modi`s `Hunkar rally` in the state capital on Sunday. Kumar briefed the scribes at a press conference here, saying that the state government had provided adequate security for Bharatiya Janata Party`s rally. He asked people to refrain from speculating about the blasts and ruled out a political conspiracy. Reiterating that there was no security lapse on the state`s part, Nitish Kumar said such an incident is a blot on Bihar. "Blasts were not a result of lapse, it is a challenge," he said. Terming the blasts as an attempt to incite hatred in the state, he requested all to maintain peace and not lose patience. "People are trying to spoil the environment of peace in Bihar. We welcome BJP`s appeal for peace," he said.

"Cops were hurt during diffusing certain bombs. We have received leads and investigation is on. NIA will take over the probe," added Nitish. The chief minister said the probe is on. He requested the opposition to join forces in meeting the challenge. He said Rs 5 lakh would be given to the kin of the deceased while the state would bear treatment cost of the injured. At least five people were killed and more than 50 injured as eight bombs exploded here, six of them in and around the centrally-located Gandhi Maidan, where Modi addressed a rally.