Malegaon tense after Monday's blast, but curfew relaxed

Malegaon, Sept 30 : The situation in Malegaon remains tense after Monday night's blast at Bhikku Chowk, in which four people were killed and 70 others were injured.

According to police, the situation is under control.

Meanwhile, curfew has been relaxed in the blast locality near the Noorani mosque.

The blast took place at 9:45 p.m. near a hotel in Bhikku Chowk. The bomb was reportedly placed in a silver coloured Hero Honda Passion motorcycle.

The injured included seven policemen and eleven homeguards, who were hurt in stone-pelting by a mob after the blast. The sub-divisional-magistrate's jeep was also damaged.

The four deceased have been identified as Shaikh Rafiq Shaikh Mustafa, Sayyad Jahir Sayyad Nisar, Sayyad Azhar Sayyad Mohmmed and Shaikh Fakir Shaikh Liyakat, the police said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal will today visit the site to review the situation.

According to a police official, the Anti-Terrorism Squad team has been sent to investigate the blast.

On September 8, 2006, at least 37 people were killed and 125 were injured when three bomb blasts hit in Malegaon town.

ANI