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Hindu Nationalist Party Calls Strike to Protest Hyderabad Bombings


India's Hindu nationalist political party has called a general strike in Hyderabad to protest deadly bombings there.

Authorities called off classes at all schools in Hyderabad Monday and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked businesses to shut down, as well.

At least 42 people were killed and more than 60 wounded in two separate explosions Saturday night at a busy restaurant and amusement park.

The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, says "available information" suggests Islamic extremists based in Pakistan and Bangladesh were responsible. He declined to give further details.

Authorities say they have found 19 unexploded bombs in Hyderabad since the attack took place. They say the bombs, fitted with timers, were planted at public places such as movie theaters and bus stops.

Police say several people have been detained for questioning.

The United States has condemned the bombings, saying there is "no justification for harming and killing innocent people."

Reddy says the government will offer about 12-thousand dollars to the families of those killed in Saturday's blasts.

Hyderabad is one of India's largest cities and a center of the nation's information technology industry. It has a large Muslim minority, and a history of clashes between Muslims and Hindus.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.

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