Varanasi Explodes

Chowk Staff March 7, 2006

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The quiet of the temple town of Varanasi was shattered when a powerful bomb exploded at Sankatmochan temple early this evening of March 7. This was followed by two blasts at the Cantonment Railway Station. Undetonated bombs were also found at the Dashaswhamedh Ghat and a restaurant.

The

href="/tag/death">death toll has been confirmed at 12, but there could be more. Over 60 people have been injured.

From TV images, the concern of the authorities is that while moving body parts, crucial evidence could have been wiped out in certain areas. However, although all of India has been put on alert, and religious places have been provided extra security in the country, the general response has been to maintain calm.

Already political parties have begun the blame game and Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has a tough act ahead. The BJP and Congress leaders are on their way to Varanasi.

One only hopes that with the VIP traffic, the important immediate issues -- treating the injured and providing security -- are not neglected.

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