Surat is an example for the country: Modi

SURAT: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held out Surat as an example for the rest of the country for the remarkable alertness of the people that led to 22 unexploded bombs being recovered over three days.

Congratulating the people of this city, Modi said the biggest disaster can be averted when the people and the government work together. "Surat has shown this."

He announced awards of Rs 21,000 each for all those who had tipped off police about the live bombs - that were defused just in time.

In his brief comments to the media, Modi, who was careful not to ascribe any blame, said anybody giving information on the terrorists would be rewarded by Rs.5.1 million. Care would be taken to keep their identities secret.

Describing terrorism as a "proxy war", Modi said the same rules should be applied as in war, the same atmosphere should be maintained. "Otherwise terrorists will take advantage."

Terrorists, he asserted, were targeting economically prosperous cities like Ahmedabad and Surat.

The chief minister met the police commissioner and other senior officials of this city to review the situation following the shocking discovery of the bombs.

Accompanied by Panchayat Minister Narottam Patel and Director General of Police (DGP) PC Pande, Modi also visited five of the places from where the live bombs were found.

He held extensive meetings with Surat Police Commissioner RMS Brar as well as the collector, mayor and the municipal commissioner of the city.

On Saturday, a series of 21 bombs exploded across Ahmedabad killing at least 50 people and injuring 200.