Live: PM condemns Chennai blasts, says it's an 'act of desperation'
PM condemns blasts, says act exposes desperation Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday condemned the twin blasts that took place in a train at Chennai Central Station. In a statement issued by his office, Singh said: "The act highlights the desperation and cowardice of those responsible." 11.37 am: Guwahati Express departs from Chennai Central The Guwahati- Bangalore Express, aboard which two explosions took place, has departed from the Chennai central station. The running status of the train, says that has been delayed by 50 minutes. 11.00 am: TN police say explosives were triggered by mobile device Tamil Nadu police have told media that they believe that the blast was triggered by a mobile device with a timer. Investigations are underway, and extensive vehicular checking is being carried out in a one kilometre radius of the station. Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has condemned the blasts at the Chennai central railway station and has ordered a CB-CID probe into the incident. 10.51 am: Unlikely that Chennai was blast target, says TN DGP Tamil Nadu DGP K Ramanujam said it was unlikely that the target of the blast aboard the Bangalore-Guwahati express was Chennai. "It is not a major blast. It is suspected that Chennai could not have been target of those who were behind the blast because the train was running late. Some other location could have been the target", Ramanujam said. He said police have no immediate information on who was responsible for the explosion in which 11 people were injured. "It is premature to say what kind of device was used is the blast. Damage to the train is not heavy," he added. 10.36 am: No confirmation on whether Chennai blast was terror attack Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami has refused to comment on whether the blast at Chennai central can be termed a terror attack just yet. "We are still waiting for the details," he said. Meanwhile Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is currently in Himachal Pradesh for campaigning for the Congress candidates. "I am away in Himachal. I have directed my officials to provide all assistance to the state government," Shinde said. A team of National Security Guard and explosive experts is likely to be sent to Chennai to join in the investigation into the blast. A NIA team from Hyderabad is also being rushed to the blast site, official sources said. 10.17 am: Central, state teams working together, says Rail Minister Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has said that state and central investigations are underway into the Chennai central blast, and said that his 'people' were taking quick action and relief work. "I believe that in a short time we will be able to sort out this matter", he said. Kharge also said that he would not be traveling to Chennai as he had to visit New Delhi for an update meeting. Meanwhile the immediate 'post blast' investigations into the blast seem to have ended for now. The Railway police along with the civilian police had carried out an intense search operation around the Chennai central station. 9.50 am: Home Secretary says it is touch with Tamil Nadu police The Home Secretary has issued a statement in which it has said that it is in touch with both the Tamil Nadu police as well as the railways over the Chennai central explosions. The statement adds that a decision on a future course of action will be taken soon. 9.32 am: TN police detain 1 suspect The Tamil Nadu police have reportedly taken one man into custody in connection with the explosions aboard the Bangalore - Guwahati express that took place at platform number 9 at Chennai central railways. The man had reportedly been hiding inside the train. No other information was immediately available, although some reports have suggested that he had also been in the possession of explosives.
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