Indian Christian Alliance Condemns New Delhi Blasts
The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America condemned the series of bomb blasts in the Indian capital of New Delhi Saturday as "ghastly and cowardly acts of terror."
"These acts of violence that have claimed at least 30 innocent lives and seriously injured many more serve no other purpose but to advance the feelings of hatred and fear," said FIACONA in a statement after the blasts.
"FIACONA urges for peace and calm in midst of such violent and tense situation in the nation's capital and hopes that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice."
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In the busy Kailash Market and at the popular tourist destination of Connaught Place, a series of at least five bombs exploded Saturday, killing at least 20 people and injuring 98, New Delhi police said Sunday, according to CNN.
The bombs were placed at busy sites - including near a movie theater, a central park, and near a public trash can - and set-off during primetime weekend shopping for maximum bloodshed.
An eyewitness said he saw a bomb blast throw a small vehicle across the street.
"It was terrifying," he said, noting that the small automobile vehicle was covered in blood.
Police have not made any arrests in the attacks, but the Muslim militant group, Indian Mujahedeen, has claimed responsibility.
Some Indian media outlets had received an e-mail just before the blasts warning that India was about to receive "the Message of Death."
"In the name of Allah, Indian Mujahideen strikes back once more ... Do whatever you can. Stop us if you can," the message read, according to The Associated Press.
Indian Mujahedeen also took responsibility for the 17 blasts in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on July 26 that killed 49 people and injured more than 100 others.
Moreover, the group claimed to be behind a series of bombings in the northwest city of Jaipur in May that killed 63 people.
In the Jaipur incident, the Muslim extremist group had declared "open war" against Hindu-dominant India for what it calls 60 years of Muslim persecution and for the country's support of U.S. policies.
"It's a very cowardly act of violence," Mayor Arti Mehra told reporters Saturday near the scene of two of the explosions, according to AP. "They want to break the spirit of Delhi. They have tried this in other places before and they have not succeeded and they will not succeed here. They will not scare us."
The blasts occurred as the situation of tens of thousands of Christians in the eastern state of Orissa remains at peril. Hindu militant mobs have been rampaging and torching hundreds of Christian homes, businesses and churches that killed more than 11 people and forced tens of thousands of poor Christians to take refuge in the jungle where they risk attacks by wild animals.
The attacks on Christians in Orissa began in late August but still has not been tamed by the state government, which some accuse of not using their full effort to quell the violence.
