Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on September 24 strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the famous Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar.

Naidu, while offering his "heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the innocent victims", urged the Central and state governments to immediately take prompt and firm action to tackle the situation.

"The nation cannot be held hostage to the acts of misguided elements indulging in senseless violence," he said.

Appealing to the people to remain calm and not get provoked by such mindless acts, the Chief Minister said, "this was the handiwork of vested interests out to disturb law and order situation in the country".

"It was the duty of every citizen to maintain peace and harmony in the face of such acts, so as to defeat the nefarious designs of anti-social elements," he added.

PTI