The Central government had sent an advisory to the Uttar Pradesh government warning against a possible terror strike at the popular Dashashwamedh Ghat here but there might have been lapses on the part of authorities that led to the blast, home minister P. Chidambaram said on Wednesday.
Mr Chidambaram, who visited the site of the explosion that left a child dead and 31 others injured, said, "A specific advise was given to UP on February 25, 2010 identifying Dashashwamedh Ghat as the possible target of terrorists and though police had made all arrangements there might have been some lapses which led to the blast yesterday".
"There were also advisories on the second anniversary of the November 26 Mumbai attacks and for the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. After both the days passed off peacefully, the police might have relaxed but there is no scope of any relaxation as each day is a new day," he told reporters.
Regretting the unfortunate incident, Mr Chidambaram said that despite security arrangements and presence of a platoon of police personnel, someone managed to plant IED at the ghat which resulted in the blast.
The home minister, who visited the injured in hospitals, put the number of injured at 31, including four foreigners, of which he said nine have been discharged after first aid.