New Delhi:
The Home Ministry today sought a report from the Bihar government after five people were killed and at least 80 injured in seven blasts which took place at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, the venue for BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally. The Centre has sent a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to assist in further investigations.
Concerned over the blast at the Patna Railway Station and recovery of two more crude bombs, the Ministry told the state government to send a report about the nature of the bomb, suspected persons or organisations which could be behind it and steps taken to maintain law and order, official sources said.
The Centre also decided to send a team of explosive experts of the NIA to help the Bihar police in post-blast investigation, they said.
The first bomb explosion took place in a toilet at the Patna railway station at 9:30 am.
Six others took place within an hour at Gandhi Maidan, the large park where Mr Modi later delivered an hour-long speech that did not refer to the explosions.
Five other bombs were defused, said officials.