-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cardinal Toppo Denounces Bomb Attacks In Delhi, Appeals For Peace
By SAR NEWS NEW DELHI (SAR NEWS) -- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has condemned the killing of several people in three powerful bomb blasts that struck the busy marketplaces across New Delhi, October 29. The death toll mounted to 60 while over 200 people were injured in the blasts, which struck the bustling Paharganj, Govindpuri and Sarojini Nagar areas of the capital, triggering off a wave of panic. Paharganj was the worst-hit area by the blast while the explosion in Sarojini Nagar destroyed many shops. In Govindpuri, the blast occurred in a Delhi Transport Corporation bus. Unconfirmed reports said blasts had also occurred in Gole Market areas in the city. The injured people have been admitted to Lady Hardinge Hospital near Paharganj and other government hospitals. The police do not rule out a terror attack and a nationwide red alert has been sounded. “We strongly denounce the act of violence that claimed several innocent and precious lives in Delhi. Our deep sympathy goes to the bereaved families and pray that God may grant peace to those departed souls and give strength to all those who bear the loss from this heinous crime,” Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, CBCI president and Archbishop of Ranchi, said in a statement. “Acts of violence can, by no means, be a solution to grievances of any kind, however genuine they might be. On the contrary it will only further vitiate the situation and create more disorder and chaos in society. Violence breeds violence,” he added. “As the people of the country are preparing to celebrate important festivals such as Deepavali and Eid, it is very sad and unfortunate that the harmonious atmosphere has been vitiated with such mindless violence and destruction. And we join in the sorrow and pain of people who are affected by this unfortunate event,” said Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi. The Bishops’ Conference has appealed to the Manmohan Singh government to take appropriate measures to restore confidence in the minds of people in Delhi so that they can get back to their normal life. The Conference has also urged all sections of people to exercise restraint at this hour of crisis and strive for better social amity and peace. CBCI spokesperson Father Babu Joseph said, “We appeal to all to desist from carrying out anti-human, anti-national activities so that Indians together celebrate the Muslim and Hindu festivals in a spirit of joy, happiness and harmony.” The blast caused major commotion among the crowd even as several shops were damaged. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. However, police do not rule out a terror attack. According to a private television channel, the two other explosions occurred at Gole Market and Govindpuri in South Delhi. A major fire also broke out in the market, and police have now closed the market. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a statement from Kolkata, said the blasts are a clear case of terrorism. “The target is clearly the innocent citizens. Efforts to spread chaos and disturb peace will not be allowed to succeed at any cost. No terrorist can win against India. India will win the battle against terrorism,” the Prime Minister said in the statement.
