India's bishops condemn deadly bomb blasts in Jaipur

Published: 2008-05-14

BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- India's Catholic bishops have condemned a series of bomb blasts that rocked Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state in western India. "The bishops (take) strong exception to the cult of violence and scant regard for the value of human life shown by those who indulge in such mindless crime(s) against humanity," said the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India in a statement. "In all such ghastly incidents, it is always the innocent people who become victims," they said. "In this hour of crisis the Catholic bishops appeal to the people of Jaipur to maintain peace and shore up all their strength to face it bravely." Police reported that seven serial blasts went off May 13 within a span of 12 minutes around a busy market, Hindu temples and tourist spots in the city, which draws 25 million tourists annually with its desert landscape and red-stone structures. The blasts killed 80 people and injured more than 200. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

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