Patil rejects demand for CBI probe in Malegaon, Mumbai blasts

Mumbai, Sep 12 (UNI) Denying any delay in investigations of Malegaon and Mumbai bomb blasts, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today rejected the opposition demand to hand over the probe in both cases to the CBI.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Patil said all the central government agencies were working in co-ordination with the State police to probe the blasts in both cities.

Refusing to divulge any details on the progress of investigations in both the cases, Mr Patil said probe was progressing in the right direction. ''The perpetrators of crime are not far away from the police dragnet'', he added.

Mr Patil said the police are probing both angles in Malegaon -- the role of those whose aim to provoke Hindus and incite communal violence failed in Mumbai and wanted to try their luck with Muslims in Malegaon.

Similarly, the role of Hindu outfits given the background of the Nanded blasts where members of the certain Hindu organisation were found to be in possession of clothes worn by traditional Muslim men and were also involved in making explosives, he added.

Stating that people of Mumbai and Malegaon have displayed impeccable standards of communal peace and harmony, Mr Patil said some attempts are being made to create trouble by calling for bandhs and morchas in protest against the blasts. He warned that damages caused due to such incidents would be recovered from those who organised such protests.

When asked about Samajwadi party leader Abu Asim Azmi's reported provocative statements in Bhiwandi, Malegaon and Akola, Mr Patil said Mr Azmi had not made any provocative remarks in Bhiwandi. ''I have read about his statements in the newspapers and asked for a report from the police before taking actions'', he added.

UNI MR ADG AK RS1937