Governor Sinha had close links with Pandey: Mufti

Jammu, Nov 16 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday alleged that the ex-Governor of the state Lieutenant General (Retd) S.K. Sinha had close links with Malegaon blast mastermind Dayanand Pandey and demanded a thorough investigation in the matter.

Mufti was addressing a press conference at his residence in Jammu today.

The former Chief Minister also alleged that, "Especially the institute of the Governor has been misused by General Sinha. As the person who is the master mind behind Malegaon blast and has been arrested and is under detention was Governor's guest in 2007."

He also demanded a through investigation in the matter as Sinha is also an ex army General and role of some of the army personnel's are already under suspicion.

Pandey was arrested in Kanpur. He reportedly heads a religious outfit in Jammu.

The serial bomb blasts in Malegaon took place on September 8, 2006, 290 km northeast of Mumbai, and claimed the lives of 37 people and injured over 125 more.

It took place in a Muslim cemetery, adjacent to a mosque during Friday prayers on the Shab e Bara''at holy day. Most of the blast victims were Muslim pilgrims.

Security forces then spoke of "two bombs attached to bicycles", but other reports indicated that three devices had exploded. A stampede ensued after the devices exploded. A curfew was imposed in the town and state paramilitaries were deployed in sensitive areas to prevent unrest.

Maharashtra Police have claimed that the blasts were the handiwork of Student Islamic Movement of India, but now there are reports of a Hindu terror network being behind it.

ANI