No objection to CBI probe into Khairlanji massacre: Deshmukh

Nagpur, Nov 10 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said he was not opposed to a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the recent massacre of four members of a ''Dalit'' family by villagers in Khairlanji in Bhandara district of Vidarbha, provided the agency had the necessary manpower to spare.

Before handing over the probe, the government would like to ensure that the CBI had the manpower and the time needed to conduct the investigation so that there were no delays, Mr Deshmukh told newspersons here this afternoon shortly after returning from a visit to Khairlanji.

It was necessary to ensure that the probe was not delayed considering the seriousness of the case, he said. The CID had been given a month's time to complete the probe, the Chief Minister pointed out.

Mr Deshmukh said he had accepted the demands for a fast-track court to try the case and the appointment of a special public prosecutor to represent the prosecution. A request would be made to the High Court to constitute a fast-track court for the trial once the investigations were completed, he said.

The Chief Minister declined to comment on the probe into the incident so far, but said the investigation would take into consideration all aspects, including the demand of booking the culprits for rape.

Mr Deshmukh also refused to comment on Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil's claims of Naxalite hand in the violence during protests against the Khairlanji massacre. ''Patil may have made the observation on the basis of inputs that he has,'' Mr Deshmukh said.

Meanwhile, The government today handed over a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, whose family was wiped out in the massacre, the Chief Minister informed. This was in addition to the Rs 4.5 lakh already released under the provisions of the Atrocities Act, he said.

Besides, the government had sanctioned another Rs 4.5 lakh for three acres of agricultural land, a plot and the construction of a house for Bhotmange, he said.

In reply to a question, Mr Deshmukh said he had no knowledge about Bhotmange's refusal to the government's offer to him of a watchman's job in a hostel for backward class boys in Tumsar in Bhandara district. The offer was made in response to an application from Bhotmange, Mr Deshmukh said.

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