Third consecutive blast rocks Lucknow

Lucknow, Nov 16 (IANS) Lucknow woke up Sunday to yet another blast on the third consecutive day, causing panic and scare among the residents.

Even though this one too was attributed to fire crackers and not any explosive device, it has left two minor girls injured. 'However they have sustained only minor injuries and were discharged from the hospital after first aid,' district magistrate Chandra Bhanu told IANS.

The blast took place around 8.30 a.m. Sunday in Bazar Khala locality of old Lucknow.

The two blasts on Saturday and Friday in the local court premises were attributed to mischief mongers, on whom the policemen are trying to zero-in.

'We have reason to believe that today's blast was an accident as it occurred in a garbage dump while rag-pickers were rummaging through it,' Lucknow Senior Superintendent of Police Akhil Kumar said. He ruled out any terrorist or militant link.

'The incident took place in an area surrounded by fire-cracker dealers. So there is every possibility of a live cracker finding its way into the garbage dump and leading to the blast,' he added.

As for the blasts in the court premises on the two preceding days, he said: 'We are planning to get close-circuit cameras installed in the court premises so that a constant vigil can be maintained to nab those indulging in mischief.'

The district court premises in Lucknow witnessed blasts Friday and Saturday which police later attributed to fire-crackers exploded by mischief-mongers. The explosions on both days were in bathrooms within the court premises and occurred around noon.