Public anger over Jhabua blasts subsided: Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said the public anger that erupted after blasts in Jhabua district has subsided as people are satisfied the state government is working over their concerns.

During a meeting of party officials for Bharatiya Janata Party's organisational elections, Chouhan said the tragedy that occurred in Jhabua's Petlawad town was the saddest incident of his life which has posed a challenge to the political leadership and administration.

He said the people found prima facie guilty have been punished and a reward of Rs.1 lakh has been announced over the head of the main accused.

"Our effort is to bring life in Petlawad town on track. A cancer affected child who lost his father in the incident is being sent to Ahmedabad for treatment. The government would bear the entire medical expenditure of the injured," Chouhan said.

"A candle march has been taken out in Petlawad and the anger has subsided. When I returned from there, people raised slogans to express thanks and satisfaction over my work," he added.

He also condemned the Congress in strong words for "playing dirty politics on a human tragedy".

A total of 88 people were killed and over 100 injured in a gas cylinder blast on Saturday in Petlawad town's Sethia Hotel and another blast in a nearby godown belonging to Rajendra Kaswa where explosives used in mining were stored.