Cops to get Rs 10 lakh award for gunning down militants

Mumbai, June 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Government today announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to police personnel involved in gunning down militants and foiling their attempts to attack the RSS headquarters in Nagpur early this morning.

Addressing a press conference here, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said police are still investigating which militant organisation was behind the attempt. Similarly, investigations are on to identify the suspected militants killed in the encounter.

He said the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) had received information that RSS headquarters will be the target of terrorist attack seven months back. ''We took appropriate steps to increase security in the premises and took RSS leaders into confidence,'' he said.

Mr Patil said timely police action in killing the militants, dressed in police uniforms and travelling in a red-light vehicle, before they could carry out their designs was a matter of pride.

''If they had succeeded, there could have been communal riots,'' he added.

He said there was no need for a red alert to be announced in the State or in Mumbai following the incident. ''Security has already been beefed up wherever it is neccessary and police are alert,'' he added.

Mr Patil said police investigations into the Nanded and Parbhani blasts have indicated links between the two incidents. ''Police will apprehend the main conspirator soon. There is truth in reports that Hindu militant organisations were behind the two blasts,'' he said but refused to divulge more details. To a question, whether the Nagpur incident could be linked to these two blasts, he replied in the negative.

To a question, Mr Patil said he will direct the police to seize vehicles which illegally used red beacon lights.

Mr Patil said the process of setting up Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) units in Aurangabad and Nagpur will be completed within 15 days.

UNI MR MAZ LS PC1725