Politicians rush to meet injured in hospital

A day after a high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort left several dead and injured, senior politicians were seen visiting Lok Nayak Hospital, where entry was restricted for all and gates were heavily barricaded.

The heavy traffic area saw deployment of police personnel and regular passing of ambulances. Politicians, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal met the injured at the hospital and assessed the situation.

L-G Saxena cut short his official visit to Kevadia, Gujarat, where he was attending the “Delhi Day” celebration as part of Rashtra Parv, and returned to Delhi on Monday night following the incident.

L-G Saxena visited the LNJP Hospital and directed hospital authorities to ensure the best possible medical care of the injured.

Appealing for peace, the L-G said, “The Delhi Police, in coordination with central agencies, is conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.” He urged citizens to “refrain from spreading rumours and rely only on official updates”.

Shah visited the hospital around 9:24 pm on Monday to meet the injured. Security was tightened around the premises during his visit and vehicular movement was temporarily halted.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reached the hospital later in the night, accompanied by Education Minister Ashish Sood, to review medical arrangements and meet the injured. She interacted with doctors and police officials and directed that all necessary medical facilities be provided immediately. Calling the incident “extremely distressing and alarming,” Gupta said, “Visited LNJP Hospital and met with citizens injured in the accident, inquired about their condition, and wished them a speedy recovery. Instructed officials to ensure there are no shortcomings in treatment and that all necessary medical facilities are provided immediately and with complete promptness.”

AAP slams govt over post-blast relief

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj met the injured at the LNJP Hospital and criticised the government’s handling of post-blast relief. “Sympathy has no value if the government cannot even provide an ambulance for the families to retrieve the bodies,” Bharadwaj said.

“The Home Minister came to Delhi’s largest hospital, and the Chief Minister came and said that everything is going fine, but the families of the deceased are being told that the bodies are lying there and they should arrange for an ambulance themselves. This is very heartbreaking and wrong.”

Targeting the BJP-led Centre, he said, “The government has said many times that if there is a terrorist attack on the country, it will be considered as an act of ‘war’, but this is the first country where a war is taking place, and yet PM Modi left on a foreign trip this morning.”