STATEMENT ON THE BOMB EXPLOSION
IN A BUS AT GHATKOPAR (WEST), MUMBAI AND AN EXPLOSION IN JOGESHWARI
WEST MUMBAI
Dy. Prime Minister
and Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani made the following statement
on the bomb explosion in a bus at Ghatkopar (West), Mumbai and
an explosion in Jogeshwari West Mumbai, in the Lok Sabha today.
According to
reports received from the Maharashtra State Government details
of the incidents are as follows:
Today at about
0300 hrs. there was an explosion of very high intensity in a Chawl
in Yadav Nagar area of Jogeshwari West Mumbai as a result of which
the Chawl and the adjoining houses have been damaged. As per the
initial reports, the explosion has occurred at the residence of
one Shri Dil Nawaj Khan aged 40 years. In the explosion, 7 persons
have been killed and 25 others injured. All the injured have been
admitted to the hospital. Shri Dil Nawaj Khan, his wife and daughter
are included among those killed.
The Mumbai Police
has started the investigation. They have informed us that Shri
Dil Nawaj Khan used to store and supply fireworks from his residence
and the nearby Godown for the stunt scenes in Hindi movies.
Three days back,
on 28th July, 2003 at about 2115 hrs. a powerful bomb
exploded in a BEST bus at LBS Road, Ghatkopar (West), Mumbai.
At the time of blast, the bus was about half a kilometer away
from Ghatkopar Railway Station and had about 35 passengers. The
explosion ripped apart the backside and floor near the rear entry
of the bus. Another BEST bus, three autorickshaws and two motorcycles
were also affected by the impact of the blast. The name plates
of some shops along the road and the windows of the many nearby
buildings were also shattered.
In the blast,
two persons, namely. S/Shri Vilas Vishnu Mahindrikar – 28 years
and Shivbali @ Hublal Jagad Dev Yadav – 35 years who were traveling
in an auto-rickshaw have been killed and 52 others injured.
The Ministry
has advised the Government of Maharashtra to review and streamline
the security and intelligence apparatus in the city so as to pre-`empt
recurrence of such incidents in the future.
