State chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his deputy Chaggan Bhujbal today termed the bomb blast, that ripped through a BEST bus on Monday night killing three and injuring 30, as an attempt to destabilise the country's commercial capital.
"There had been intelligence reports that Mumbai was high on the list for such subversive activities in the wake of similar attacks in Gujarat and New Delhi. But in the last three years the police was successful in foiling many such attempts," said Deshmukh, after visiting the injured at the Rajawadi hospital.
Bujbal noted that some explosives were seized from a bus at SEEPZ, in suburban Andheri, last night and defused by the bomb squad before it blew up.
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Gelatin sticks of a crude variety, normally used for digging wells by farmers or mining activity, with an improvised timer device were placed in the bus. Forensic experts and national security guards personnel will be arriving into Mumbai for further scrutiny.
Bhujbal noted that Mumbai was expectedly the next logical target following similar attacks in Gujarat and New Delhi.
"I had held several meetings with the police, railway police and the BEST in the presence of the home secretary as more than 45 lakh people commute daily using the BEST buses. Security agencies have been directed to stop suspicious persons and subject them to a baggage check. We will be broadcasting public messages through the media to create a public awareness on the issue and seek people's cooperation," he said.
He added: "Police security had been provided at vital installations besides places of worship, cinemas, and shopping malls. They have been instructed to upgrade their security mechanisms to prevent any similar security threat."
"It must be remembered that Mumbai city has a 25 lakh floating population in addition to the 1.50 crore resident population which is serviced by a mere 40,000 police personnel," Bhujbal pointed out, when asked whether there was an intelligence failure.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the blast and a varying amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 each for those injured, depending on the seriousness of their injuries. An aid of Rs 50,000 would also be given to each of the permanently disabled persons.