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Agra blast: Can't rule out terror angle, say UP police

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September 18, 2011 18:17 IST

The possibility of the blast at a hospital in Agra being a terrorist attack cannot be ruled out, Uttar Pradesh's top police official said on Sunday.

Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police 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 member of Parliament 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 was used ripped through the reception area of the hospital in the city on Saturday, about five to seven km from Taj Mahal. The 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 on Agra.

She also directed the officials to ensure free treatment to those injured in the blast.

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