India observes anti-terror day

NEW DELHI, May 22 (UPI) -- Indians observed Anti-Terrorism Day by highlighting the dangers of terror and violence in the country and vowing to fight terror.

The Interior Ministry called upon India's people to fight terrorism.

Anti-Terrorism Day is celebrated by Indians every May 21 on the anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

Minister of Home Affairs Shivraj Patil administered the Anti-Terrorism Day oath to the officers and staff of his department, a ministry spokesman said.

Employees in government offices, government-controlled companies and other public institutions across the country also took the pledge, the spokesman said. "The objective behind observance of Anti-Terrorism Day each year on May 21 is to wean away the youth from terrorism and the cult of violence," a ministry statement said.

This year's observation of the day came at a time when the investigation into the Jaipur bombings of May 13 has gone awry, with the National Security Guards contradicting claims of the federal Ministry of Home Affairs that the explosive RDX had been used in the eight explosions that rocked the popular tourist destination, killing more than 60 people.

Special Secretary for Internal Security M.L. Kumawat said he did not rule out the possibility of a cocktail of RDX and ammonium nitrate being used to carry out the blasts.

A senior ministry official noted the complete investigation of the bombings is in danger of being suspended.