Commending the people of Gujarat for the resilience shown by them in the wake of terror attacks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ontoday said such attempts to destroy social fabric and demoralise people will not succeed.
Dr Singh, who met Chief Minister Narendra Modi, visited hospitals and enquired about the welfare of victims of Saturday's serial blasts in Ahmedabad that left 49 dead and several injured.
The prime minister, who was accompanied by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said he had come to express "our solidarity with the people of Gujarat in their hour of crisis."
"I commend the people of Gujarat for the resilience they have shown. These terrorist acts are aimed at destroying our social fabric, undermining communal harmony and demoralising our people," he said.
Dr Singh also announced enhancement of ex-gratia payment from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh each to next of kin of those killed in the terror attacks.
As the people of Gujarat have shown "so admirably", these efforts of terrorists will not succeed, Dr Singh, who arrived in Ahmedabad amid downpour, said.
Modi briefed the prime minister on the serial blasts and the steps taken by his government to deal with the situation.
"We will rise to the challenge and I am confident we will be able to defeat these forces," Dr Singh said while reading a brief statement.
He sought the cooperation of all political parties, Central and state governments, Central and state police and intelligence authorities and civil society groups asking them to work together in tackling the scourge.
"In this hour of tragedy, my heart goes out to those who have lost their dear and near ones. I offer my sympathies to those injured," he said adding, "we will do our best to take care of them."
© 2024 Rediff.com -