New Delhi, Sep 7 (ANI): Hitting out at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government over the Delhi High Court blast, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, today said the tragedy could have been avoided if the Centre would have acted promptly, when the low-intensity blast took place at the same place four months ago.
"Today, the Home Minister, P Chidambaram, accepted before both Houses of Parliament that Delhi is a target of militant groups. This was part of his statement. Then he must also know the soft targets for militants in the city. Delhi's High Court is one such soft target. The biggest proof of that is the low intensity blast that took place here four months ago," said Swaraj, who visited the blast site outside the Delhi High Court.
"If the government had acted promptly at that time itself, this tragedy could have been avoided. At that time it was said that CCTV cameras must be installed, if that had been done this tragedy could possibly have been averted. But it has happened, and the impact of this blast is much larger than the previous one," she added.
It is in the second time in four months that a blast occurred outside the Delhi High ourt complex. An explosion in a parking lot near the cafeteria of the High Court on May 25 had earlier triggered panic among the residents of the national capital.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram earlier in the day told Members of Parliament that the capital city of Delhi had been targetted again by terrorists, and that a nation-wide security alert has been issued following the explosion outside gate number five of the Delhi High Court.
Condemning the blast, Chidambaram said: "Despite the capacity that has been built, and despite Delhi police remaining on high alert, the tragic incident occurred today. The objective of terrorist groups is to strike fear and to destabilise the country."
"We are clear in our mind that there is no cause that will justify terrorist acts. Government unequivocally condemns terrorist attack that took place today," he added.
Pledging to track down those responsible behind the attack, Chidambaram conceded that New Delhi remained a target of extremist groups.
"Delhi is a target of terrorist groups. When the parliament is in session and during certain other times of the year, Delhi is placed on high alert. Intelligence agencies constantly share intelligence inputs with Delhi Police," said Chidambaram.
"Intelligence pertaining to threats emanating from certain groups was shared with the Delhi police in July 2011. At this stage, it is not possible to identify the group that caused the bomb blast today," he added.
Offering the government's condolences to families of the dead victims and the injured, Chidambaram said that no effort would be spared to pursue the perpetrators of this horrific crime.
According to latest reports, at least 11 people have been killed and around 76 others left injured following the blast. The blast took place outside Delhi High Court's Gate Number Five at around 10: 14 a.m.
The Home Ministry continues to assess the situation arising out of the blast. A national alert is in place in the wake of the incident. (ANI)
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