Shivraj Patil resigns
30 Nov 2008, 1326 Hrs

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has resigned in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes in which nearly 200 people died

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New Delhi, Nov 30 Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has resigned in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes in which nearly 200 people died. The terror drama lasted more than three days, beginning Wednesday night.

Though sources in the Prime Minister Office refused to comment on Patil's resignation, media reports said that the Union Home Minister had sent his resignation to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh this afternoon.

Pressure had been mounting on Patil to resign, for having failed to ensure proper internal security arrangements within the country, even after recurrent terror activities in the recent past, including serial blasts in New Delhi on September 13, 2008, killing 20 persons.

Earlier during the year, on May 13, at least 60 people were killed in a series of bomb blasts in Jaipur. Then, on July 25 two people were killed and around 20 injured in Bangalore serial blasts. Then, in October 30, around 70 persons had died and 330 wounded in serial blasts in Assam.

On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had met top defence and intelligence officials in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks and sought suggestions for a security strategy to prevent such attacks in future. Official sources said that the prime minister took a detailed report on the terrorist attacks and actions being taken. Besides, he also discussed ways to prevent any more such attacks.

Also, on Saturday evening, Congress Working Committee (CWC) met at UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's residence. According to confirmed sources, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, while condemning terrorism at the meet, had said "a slap should be returned with a slap". Sonia Gandhi had herself condemned the attacks on Thursday in strongest words. (ANI)