Probe 'Sinha-Amritananad' relations : Mufti

Jammu, Nov 16 (UNI) Former chief minister and Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today demanded a ''thorough'' probe into the Malegoan blast accused Dayanand Pandey alias Swami Amritanand Dev Teerth Maharaj's relation with former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha.

'' Since Swami was state guest of former Governor Lt Gen Sinha during latter's tenure in 2007, the ATS which is investigating the case should thoroughly probe this,''he told reporters at a press conference here.

'' I am not raising finger on Gen Sinha but in what capacity the said swami was offered the status of 'state guest','' Mr Mufti.

However, referring to the arrest of Lt Col Purohit in connection with the Malegaon blast, the PDP patron said, '' Government of India should take serious note of this issue as such elements irrespective of the religions have spread their tentacles within the army.'' The Union Government should take the issue seriously and relations between the two should be probed ''thoroughly''.

It is important to mention here that on July 3, 2008 Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha, in a frontal attack on the PDP and its patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had accused him of being 'hand in glove' with separatists and fundamentalists.

Mr Mufti also reiterated his demand of scrapping the Article 356 which extends special powers to the Centre to suspend the state regime besides asserting 'self rule', which according to him was the only solution to solve the Kashmir issue and demanded that Governor of Jammu and Kashmir should be a local.

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