MHA seeks report, Channi warns ‘anti-national forces’
LUDHIANA: The home ministry on Thursday sought a detailed report on the blast inside the district court complex in Ludhiana in which one person died and five people were injured, officials said.
In a communication, the Union home ministry asked the Punjab government to send the report as early as possible, giving details of the incident.
The ministry also asked the state government to inform it about the findings of the initial investigation and who could be possibly involved in the explosion, the officials said.
Chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday said as the Assembly polls are drawing near, anti-national forces are trying spread anarchy in the state. Channi said this after a bomb blast in the Ludhiana district courts complex left one person dead and five injured.
The chief minister also expressed apprehension that the person who died in the blast might be operating the bomb.
Channi said, “As elections are nearing, some anti-national and anti-state forces are trying to commit such disgusting acts and for this the government is alert and people should also be alert.”
Channi said earlier sacrilege attempts were made but they did not succeed. Now, this blast has been carried out, the CM said. Channi, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and state minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu also visited a hospital in Ludhiana and enquired about the health of those injured in the blast. Channi said in Ludhiana, prima facie, it appears that the person who died in the incident was operating the bomb.
Five people were injured in this incident and they are out of danger, the CM said terming the blast as an “unfortunate incident”. He expressed fear that an attempt is being made to “spread anarchy” in Punjab, ahead of the state Assembly polls.
“I want to make it clear that peace will be maintained at all costs,” he said. “Our police are capable of maintaining law and order,” he said. “But which agencies were trying to disturb Punjab’s peace will become clear as investigations are on,” he said, adding that those responsible will be dealt with sternly.
Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the explosion was heard near the records room on the second floor of the complex.
“One person died, two persons were injured in the incident. Bomb disposal team and forensics team has been called from Chandigarh for probe,” Bhullar said.
“There is no need to panic,” he added. A team of National Security Guard has been called, informed police officials.
Former Punjab Chief Mnister Amarinder Singh said expressed his condolences.
“Disturbing news of a blast at Ludhiana court complex. Saddened to know about the demise of 2 individuals, Praying for the recovery of those injured. @PunjabPoliceInd must get to the bottom of this,” said Singh in a tweet.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock over the blast.
“Shocked by news of blast at Ludhiana dist court where 2 people lost their lives & several injured. May Guru Sahib grant peace to departed souls & fast recovery to injured. Pb govt must focus on law & order instead of political vendetta to ensure peace & communal harmony in State,” said Badal in a tweet.
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said some people want to disturb the peace in Punjab.
“First sacrilege, now blast. Some people want to disturb the peace of Punjab. Three crore people of Punjab will not allow their plans to succeed,” said Kejriwal in a tweet.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the blast and called for strict action against those guilty.
“The blast in Ludhiana is extremely condemnable. My condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and prayers of quick recovery for the injured. Strict action must be taken at the earliest against those guilty,” he tweeted.