UP blasts could have been averted, says Vajpayee

Describing the terror strikes in UP as a conspiracy to spread unrest in the country, Atal Behari Vajpayee said the attack could have been averted had the government been more alert.

Describing the terror strikes in Uttar Pradesh as a conspiracy to spread unrest in the country, former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the attack could have been averted had the government been more alert.

He said the country has to put up a united fight to face the challenges of internal security and noted that terrorists can take the lives of innocent and unarmed people, but cannot disturb harmony and brotherhood.

“These bomb blasts could have been averted had the government and security agencies been more alert,” the veteran leader, who has been ailing for some time, said in a statement.

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He said the serial blasts in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi were part of a ‘conspiracy’ by terrorists to ‘spread unrest’ in the country and only reflected their ‘desperation’.

“This despicable act should be condemned in the strongest words,” he added.

“I am not able to come in your midst, but I am with you in this hour of crisis. I appeal to the people of Uttar Pradesh, especially Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi to maintain restraint,” he said.