Andhra CM calls it 'intentional sabotage'

NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said the Mecca Mosque bomb blast was an act of "intentional sabotage" for which he blamed anti-social elements.

"It is an intentional sabotage to disturb the peace and harmony of the state.  Anti-social elements want to see that different communities do not live in peace," he told reporters here before cutting short his stay to return to Hyderabad.

He claimed that the explosion was aimed at disturbing the peace and tranquility in the state at a time when the state was on march to progress.

Reddy said the explosion occurred where the faithful perform ablutions before going for prayers.

To a question where there were any intelligence inputs pointing to the possibility of blasts, he replied in the affirmative adding necessary precautions were taken to prevent any incidents. "But still such things do happen," he said.

Asked if there was any terrorist angle or trouble created by internal groups, the Chief Minister said the matter was still under investigation and it would be hasty to jump to a conclusion.