Maharashtra Govt. announces compensation for Malegaon blast victims

Malegaon, Oct 1 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil has announced compensation for Malegaon blast victims.

"Rs. 500,000 will be given to the families of the deceased by the state administration. They will also receive 300,000 rupees from central administration. 50,000 rupees will be given to the those who are injured," said Patil, who visited the blast site on Tuesday.

The blast took place near a hotel in Bhikku Chowk, in which four people were killed and 70 others were injured.

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.

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