Mah govt seeks approval from Home Min to felicitate brave cops

Nagpur, June 4 (UNI) The Maharashtra Government is seeking permission from the Union Home Ministry to accept the rewards declared by some states for the bravery of Nagpur policemen who gunned down the three militants while making an abortive attempt to blow up the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Headquarters here on Thursday.

Talking to media persons after visiting the site, where encounter took place between special patrollng police squad and the terrorists, Mahaarashatra Deputy Chief Minister R R patil said the state governments, including Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, have declared the cash rewards to the Maharashtra police personnel who succeeded in foiling the destructive acttivities of ultras and seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Mumbai, Nagpur and elsewhere in the state. However, permission has to be sought from the Union Home Ministry to accept the rewards and the process for the permission would soon be completed, he said.

Mr Patil, who also holds Home portfolio, said the state goverment was also consideraing upgrading those policemen for their bravery and a decision to this effect would soon be taken in the cabinet.

''We had information for the last seven months about the attack on the RSS headquarters in Nagpur by militants and strategy was made in such a manner by Nagpur police that enabled them to succeed.

All the police force from upper ranks to lower ranks deserve to be congratulated and rewarded,'' he added.

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