A series of three low-density bomb blasts ripped across Gorakhpur on Tuesday evening, leaving half a dozen people injured.

The explosions, which took place at intervals of three to four minutes each, occurred in three places in the Golghar area, which is the city centre. The first blast occurred at Baldev Plaza, the second at Jalkal Building and the third at Ganesh Chauraha. People began running for cover as soon as the explosions ripped through the area, and tension continues to prevail in the city.

The injured have been admitted to hospital and senior officials have rushed to the site of the blasts. The area has been cordoned off and forensic teams are being rushed to assist in investigations.

A high alert has been sounded in Varanasi and other communally-sensitive towns of Uttar Pradesh and the vigil along the UP-Nepal border has been stepped up.

According to Gorakhpur SSP Rajesh Rai, the bombs had been placed in plastic tiffin boxes that were kept in cycles at Baldev Plaza and Jalkal Building and in a motorcycle at Ganesh Chauraha. The cycles had been parked near power transformers, while the motorcycle was parked near a petrol pump, possibly to ensure maximum damage.

The impact of the explosions was felt within a radius of about 100 metres and the cycles on which the bombs were placed were blown to smithereens. The window panes of nearby shops were also smashed due to the impact of the blasts.

Mr Brijlal, ADG (law and order), said the blasts seemed to be the handiwork of some local people. "If a terrorist group had been involved in these blasts, the explosions and the bombs used would have been far more powerful. However, we shall be able to say something definite after the preliminary investigations are over," he stated.

Meanwhile, the local MP, Mahant Yogi Adityanath, told this correspondent over the telephone that the blasts were a result of the unchecked infiltration of anti-social elements across the UP-Nepal border.

"On a number of occasions, I have warned the district officials that Nepal is turning into a haven for the ISI and the porous border allows these elements to take refuge in eastern UP as well. However, no one paid attention to my warnings and the results are there for all to see," he said.

In New Delhi, the Union home ministry directed the Uttar Pradesh government to take special care to maintain the peace in Gorakhpur and said it was in constant touch with the state government, our Delhi correspondent reports.

Union home secretary Madhukar Gupta had spoken to the director-general of police in Lucknow to take stock of the situation, an MHA official said. Mr Gupta told the DGP to take adequate steps to ensure that peace was maintained in the area

Courtesy: www.asianage.com May 22, 2007