Mumbai train blasts guilty will be known soon: Patil

Mumbai, Sep 26: Asserting that the Mumbai train blasts accused will be known to the people soon, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said that the source of terrorism from across the border needs to be nipped at the bud.

Speaking at a function to felicitate Mumbaikars who had rushed to the aid of the July 11 serial train blast victims here today, Mr Patil said the issue of terrorism needs to be settled with the perpetrators once for all.

''There is a limit of tolerance. The Central government has already said that terror attack in Mumbai had links across the border,'' he added.

He said people of Mumbai will know the culprits very soon. ''Only a formal announcement is left. The country's enemies have made Maharashtra their target of attack and the perpetrators will be hanged on this soil.'' In an indirect reference to the issue of superstar Amitabh Bachchan's security being scaled down, Mr Patil said security cover has become a status symbol and an issue of prestige. ''Police personnel are being wasted to protect such people who face no threat while 10 crore people of the State are feeling insecure.'' Mr Patil said the government has decided to focus on strengthening intelligence gathering. ''Henceforth, 50 per cent staff of the intelligence department will be directly recruited and posted here throughout their career,'' he added.

Mr Patil said people of Maharashtra themselves had diffused terrorism threat by remaining united and maintaining communal harmony.

BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who was present on the occasion, demanded special courts to try the bomb blasts case and capital punishment to the guilty. He said people have to gear up for the long battle against terrorism The function was organised by the Suryoday Manavta Seva Sangh headed by Bhayyu Maharaj. About 122 people, police and firebrigade personnels were felicitated by the Maharaj for their work in helping the blasts victims.

UNI

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