Weapons, explosives in Mah might have come from South: Patil

Mumbai, May 16 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said that the cache of deadly explosives and weapons seized from different parts of the state might have come from southern parts of the country.

Talking to reporters, Mr Patil. also the state Home Minister, said the ATS suspected that the arms and explosives might have come from the South and were investigating this angle.

State DGP Dr P S Pasricha, who was present at the press conference, said the ATS was investigating the case thoroughly and would nail the last link in this conspiracy soon.

Mr Patil also announced a prize of Rs two lakh to the Velur (Ellora) gram panchayat as a reward of the local villagers' help to the ATS to nab the terrorists.

He said all the weapons and explosives had been seized by the ATS according to the information and tip-off received so far. The total number of terorrists arrested was 11. ''The ATS is still alert'', he added.

To a question on reports that the terrorists had stayed at the MLA hostel in Mumbai last week, Mr Patil said according to reports, the Tata Indica driver told the police that he dropped the terrorists outside the Hostel and was not aware of the floor or room, they had visited.

When asked about the landmine blast in Gadchiroli which claimed 12 lives, Mr Patil said the victims were members of a marriage party going to Chhattisgarh. ''Police are investigating whether the victims had enmity with the naxals or whether the naxals thought the vehicle belonged to the police,'' he added.

Replying to a question on the whereabouts of Ashok Khot, the suspended Additional Chief Secretary who has been sentenced to one month jail by the Supreme court in a contempt case, Mr Patil said if the former bureaucrat was not found by this evening, the police would move the court tomorrow.

Dr Pasricha said Khot had written a letter to him stating that he was exploring legal options. ''He tried to meet the union Home Minister, but was not successful. He has written that he would return in two to three days,'' Dr Pasricha said.

When asked whether section 422 of the IPC would be invoked declaring Khot as a absconder, Dr Pasricha said the Mumbai police commissioner was exploring all options. ''Khot would serve the sentence for 30 days from the day of his arrest,'' he added.

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