I was not target of attack: Chidambaram

I was not target of attack: Chidambaram

  June 16, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Chennai: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on termed the blasting of a railway track near Villupuram as an “attempted act of extremism” and expressed confidence that the Tamil Nadu Police will arrest the culprits soon. He added that he was not the target of attack. 

Suspected pro-LTTE elements had blasted the track near Perani station in Villupuram district in the wee hours on Saturday. Leaflets protesting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India last week were found at the site. 

“It is an attempted act of extremism. Alert railway officials averted a major disaster. Police and intelligence agencies are working together to nab the culprits and I am confident that the state police will arrest the accused soon,” Mr. Chidambaram told reporters after meeting Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to apprise him of Rajapaksa’s visit. 

Meanwhile the Tamil Nadu police has taken into custody ten persons in connection with the attack. Those arrested are pro-LTTE activists. 

Passengers of the Tiruchirapalli—Chennai Rockfort Express had a narrow escape when the driver stopped the train in time after being alerted about the breach on the rail track by the station master.