Agra: The possibility of the blast at a
hospital here being a terrorist attack could not be ruled out,
UP's top police official said on Sunday.
Uttar Pradesh Special DGP, Brij Lal said investigating
agencies were probing all angles into last evening's explosion
in the reception area of the hospital that left six persons
injured and they may take some more time to arrive at any
conclusion.
"The possibility of the blast in Jai hospital being a
terrorist attack could not be ruled out," Lal, who accompanied
state minister Swami Prasad Maurya to the blast site, said.
Maurya announced Rs 1 lakh compensation for the injured
and a reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone providing clues about the
blast.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh
also visited the hospital and announced a compensation of Rs
50,000 each to the injured from the Prime Minister's Relief
Fund.
He was accompanied by Firozabad MP Raj Babbar.
"The state government was warned by the Centre beforehand
but the warning was not taken seriously," Singh said.
UP Congress Committee chairman Rita Bahuguna Joshi also
visited the spot and criticised the state government.
A low intensity blast in which a crude Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) was used ripped through the reception
area of the hospital in the city yesterday, about 5-7 kms from
Taj Mahal.
Police said no arrests have been made.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, meanwhile, directed
police and state intelligence officials to ensure that guilty
are brought to book at the earliest.
"The police and state intelligence officers should
ensure that those involved in the blast should be brought to
book and detailed investigation should be carried out in the
matter to stop recurrence of such incidents in future,”
Mayawati said in a press release issued here.
She also directed the officials to ensure free
treatment to those injured in the blast.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, September 18, 2011, 19:40