‘I was afraid, but am now angry at this cowardly act’

Eyewitnesses present near the blast sites say categorically that the areas chosen by the terrorists for the serial blasts are inhabited by Hindus as well as Muslims so, it is clearly “an attack on India”.

Eyewitnesses present near the blast sites said categorically that the areas chosen by the terrorists for the serial blasts are inhabited by Hindus as well as Muslims and since both communities were targeted, it is clearly “an attack on India”.

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Lalit, who was present near the Hanuman Mandir in the Sanganeri Gate area, told a news channel that there was an “immense crowd at the time of the blasts” because this is one time of the year that tourists flock to the Pink City and visit the numerous shops dotting the place in the evening. “I was very lucky not to have gone to the Hanuman Mandir on Tuesday . Normally, like many people, I visit the temple on Tuesdays. There were many people at the temple when the blast took place. I was able to hear the powerful explosions but was not near enough to see them. I can imagine that the number of people who must have died would be many more than claimed by the authorities.”

Another resident of Jaipur, who did not want to be named, said he was not far from the explosion at Manak Chowk. “I heard a big bang and soon saw people running helter skelter in panic. I too ran to the safety of a structure. As I stood there watching people run to safety, the first few police personnel arrived to evacuate the place. I saw many cycles, rickshaws and handcarts lying in mangled heaps here and there. After the initial feeling of fear, I was angry at the thought of some cowardly people killing innocent people like this.”