Bomb blasts in New Delhi spoil Deepavali celebrations

[govind shiyani]

 

Bomb blasts in New Delhi spoil Deepavali celebrations

Oct 30, 05 | 3:25 pm

http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=7111_0_1_0_M

shocking photos

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/south_asia_delhi_grieves/html/1.stm

By Satish G. , eTN Delhi
 NEW DELHI, India (eTurboNews) – Spoiling the festive atmosphere in New Delhi, three powerful blasts on Saturday evening in the Capital city claimed at least 60 lives.

 

As whole of India gears up for celebrating the festival of lights, Deepavali on November 1, with people out in large numbers out of their homes in the markets, the blasts came across as a rude shock. A series of bomb blasts went off in quick succession. A powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated in the busy area of Paharganj in central Delhi, followed by explosion Sarojini Nagar. The third blast took place at Govindpuri, south Delhi.
 
The government urged people to stay away from public areas for the next few days ahead of Diwali on Tuesday and Eid al-Fitr a few days later.
 
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts. “I share shock and distress of all those affected by these blasts and my heart grieves with those who have lost their loved ones,” he said. “These dastardly acts of terrorism are aimed at the people of India. These blasts have been timed to create disaffection during the festive season when people of all communities are celebrating our national festivals. We shall defeat their nefarious designs and not allow them to succeed.”
 
“These terrorists wish to spread a sense of fear and suspicion among our peace-loving people,” he told reporters after returning to Delhi from Kolkata. These blasts have been timed to create disaffection during the festive season when people of all communities are celebrating our national festivals. We shall defeat their nefarious designs.
 
“The target is clearly the innocent citizens. Efforts to spread chaos and disturb peace will not be allowed to succeed at any cost. The government is determined to defeat nefarious designs of terrorist elements,” Dr.  Singh said. The PM said he would not be in a position to share information when asked if any terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the act.
 
Delhi Police immediately ordered all shopping centres in the capital to shut and appealed to the people to go back home, throwing a damper on the celebratory mood ahead of the grand festival of lights. “I appeal to the people to please go back to their families immediately. They will feel secure when they see their relatives,” Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.
 
“Today is another sad reminder that terror knows no borders and respects no religion,” U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. “These acts are made more heinous in that they deliberately targeted innocent civilians preparing for holiday celebrations.”
 
Roy Senger, an Israeli tourist, told the BBC News website: “I was with my wife in Connaught Place, which is about five metres from here. We heard the blast. The taxi driver dropped us outside the street as we tried to return to our guest house [in Paharganj]. It was very scary - we had to go back through the place [where the blast occurred] which was terrifying. Not a good thing to see.”