Dawood's detention triggers celebrations in Varanasi

Varanasi, Aug 7 (UNI) Even as conflicting media reports about the detention of Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan put security agencies both in India and across the border in a quandary, people in this temple city today celebrated an untimely Holi and Diwali to mark the reported capture of the underworld don.

Volunteers associated with 'Samarpan' -- a voluntary organisation -- distributed sweets, burst crackers and splashed colours in Maidagin area to celebrate the reported detention of India's most wanted fugitive.

''If the reports being telecast by many news channels are true then it elicits a grand celebration. For some it would be an untimely festival of colours and lights but for most of the Indians the detention of Dawood in Pakistan has given a reason to celebrate the ultimate Holi and Diwali,'' said Ajit Singh, associated with Samarpan.

''These celebrations should not stop here only but must continue till the Independence Day if the news of Dawood's detention is true,'' he added demanding urgent efforts by the Union government to get the underworld don -- recently declared a global terrorist by the US -- extradited to India.

The volunteers also set afire the effigy of the fugitive don wanted in connection with a large number of criminal cases including the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

UNI