Patil warns against politicising blasts issue

Mumbai, Jul 17: Issuing a 'polite warning' to the Shiv Sena-BJP against politicising the serial train blasts, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the government will not allow political leaders to exploit the prevailing sensitive atmosphere in their favour.

''You have succeeded in deriving political mileage out of the serial blasts once. But, not any more. Statements of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi will be examined and action taken if they amounted to creating divisions in society,'' Mr Patil told the Legislative Assembly.

At the same time, he said law would take its own course if attempts by anybody, including chief ministers of other states, try to politicise the blasts, Mr Patil said without naming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to address an anti-terrorism rally in the city later in the evening.

Mr Patil said strict action would be taken against rumour mongers and those sending hate SMSes.

Mr Patil informed the Assembly that 20 persons had been booked under section 302 of the IPC for brutally killing two constables in Bhiwandi. He said intelligence gathering network would be strengthened in the days to come in Maharashtra. He drew the attention of the house to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's statement that there was no specific information that railways would be targetted in Mumbai.

He said the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), which is investigating into the blasts, has been provided with adequate manpower. There are no differences between the Mumbai Police commissioner A N Roy and DGP Dr P S Pasricha. All the state and central government investigating agencies are working in a co-ordinated manner.

UNI

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