Lawyers were target of blasts: UP govt

Lawyers had refused to represent the accused in the Sankatmochan temple blast in Varanasi and the main accused was assaulted in the Varanasi court while being produced there in April 2006, he said.

Also the lawyers of Faizabad had refused to represent the accused in the Ram Janambhoomi complex blast in July 2005 following which the case had to be shifted to Allahabad, Chamber said.

Directives have been issued to beef up security at court premises in the wake of yesterday8217;s serial blasts, he said.

Chamber said, significantly Friday8217;s serial blasts had taken place in places where the lawyers usually sit in the court compound.

Asked about the probe, Chamber refused to elaborate but said the investigation was continuing.

He said the Centre had been apprised of the latest situation with regard to the serial blasts.

Asked whether the central agencies had alerted the authorities of the concerned districts about possible terror strikes, Chamber said he had no knowledge about it.

All aspects of the blasts are being investigated, he said.

Chamber said Chief Minister Mayawati had meetings with senior officials Friday night and Saturday morning and reviewed the law and order situation in the state.

He said the compensation to the next of the kin of the deceased had been hiked from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh while the amount for seriously injured had been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000.

Those who had suffered minor injuries would get Rs 50,000, he said.