The recent serial bomb explosions in Gujarat have begun to tell upon the fate of the business and trade throughout the state. The worst effected is the diamond industry which has registered a sharp decline in the number of foreign buyers who visit different cities of the state to buy polished and raw diamonds.

Pawan Kumar is a Belgium based dealer of polished diamonds and he owns a brokerage firm in Aura NV in Antwerp. He is so apprehensive of the existing situation in Gujarat that he is giving a second thought to his proposed visit plan to here.

According to him it is high time for business before the Christmas season starts. But the current situation in Gujarat is very scary and he cannot risk his life. So he would postpone his business trip for now and visit Gujarat after August 15.

Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, Gems and Jewelry Export Promotion Council has admitted the sharp fall in the diamond trade in Gujarat. He confirmed that in the wake of the serial bomb blasts in Surat and Ahmedabad a good number of foreign buyers have postponed their business trips.

The latest on “Ahmedabad blasts update”.

The death toll in the blast climbed to 45 and the number of injured has also gone up to 145. The injured are admitted in several hospitals including Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital, Civil Hospital and LG Hospital.

The Gujarat government as a precaution has called out the Army in sensitive areas and they are conducting flag march in such locations in Ahmedabad.

Government of India has in the meanwhile dispatched teams of National Security Guards and bomb experts to Ahmedabad. They are expected to analyze the kind of explosives used in these bomb blasts.

Union Home minister Shivraj Patil chaired a high level meeting and reviewed and too and update of the security situation of the India after the 16 serial blasts in Ahmedabad and 8 blasts in Bangalore. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary,  Union Home Secretary, Director Intelligence Bureau, Delhi Police Chief  and senior officers of the Home Ministry and security agencies

Meanwhile the terror email which warned of bombing minutes before Ahmedabad serial blasts is traced to an ip address of US national in Navi Mumbai. Mumbai Police is investigating the matter.

Maharashtra police and home department of the State had an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in the state .

In Amraiwadi area of Ahmedabad a live bomb was found and it was defused.

In Surat - another business city of Gujarat, live bomb was found and it was also defused. The latest act of terrorism is keeping the government and police on their toes.

The areas where the blasts occurred in Ahmedabad are at Maninagar, Isanpur, Narol circle, Bapunagar, Hatkeshwar, Sarangpur bridge, Sarkhej, Odhav, Sardar Patel market, Civilhospital, Juhapura, Ambur tower building, Raipur and Gowribhadi.