Blasts to vitiate Bihar's atmosphere: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday said the serial blasts in which five people were killed and more than 70 others injured, in and around the ground where Bharatiya Janata Party's Narendra Modi addressed a rally barely hours later, were aimed at vitiating the atmosphere in Bihar.

He said police were probing the blasts and an alert has been sounded across the state and security tightened further. "Police is probing the serial blasts and will come out with solid revelation in next 48 hours," Nitish Kumar told a specially convened press conference here. He also condemned the blasts. The state government has already sought help of the National Investigation Agency for probing the blasts, he said.

He announced a compensation of Rs.5 lakh to the kin of each victim killed in the blasts and said the state would foot the medical expenses of the injured. "It appeared to us the serial blasts were planned to vitiate the atmosphere and create trouble across Bihar. Those behind the blasts have chosen the day that coincides with the rally. It was a deliberate attempt to create tension in the atmosphere," Nitish Kumar said.

He said that initial investigation suggests the motive was to create trouble, a matter of serious concern. "It is a blot on the peaceful atmosphere of Bihar," he added. The chief minister said there was no intelligence input either from the central or state governments. He denied that it was a result of security lapse. "There was no security lapse as security was tightened for the rally," he said.

Nitish Kumar ruled out political conspiracy behind the blasts. "Political differences are one thing and conspiracy to target rally of any party is another thing," he said.