Motive behind Goa blast still unclear, say police

Panaji, Nov 2 : The motive behind the Diwali-eve blast in Goa is still not clear more than a fortnight after two associates of the rightwing Hindu outfit Sanatan Sanstha (SS) were killed in the explosion while ferrying a bomb, a senior police official said.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji Monday evening, Superintendent of Police (CID) Atmaram Deshpande said that the police were still trying to figure out why Malgonda Patil and Yogesh Naik, both SS associates, carried out the blast in a crowded area in Margao, a major town in South Goa, 35 km from here.

"We do not know the exact motive behind the blast yet. But with the recent arrests, investigations into the blast will definitely quicken," the officer said.

Deshpande was referring to Vinay Talekar, 30, and Vinayak Patil, 27, both originally from Karnataka who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the blast.

Both were known for their proximity to Malgonda Patil.

Meanwhile, differences have cropped up between the Maharashtra and the Goa police records vis-a-vis three persons from Baramati in Maharashtra, who were interrogated by Goa's special investigation team (SIT) appointed to probe the case.

According to an entry made in the station diary at the Baramati rural police station, Vithal Jadhav, Mahadev Jadhav and Pradeep Mane, all residents of Baramati, were taken into custody by the Goa police officials for the Margao blast probe.

Police sources said Malgonda Patil was using a SIM card formerly belonging to Mahadev Jadhav, a farmer from Baramati. In his deposition to the SIT, Mahadev Jadhav said he had lost the SIM card two years ago.

When asked if the trio were officially detained by the police for the blast, Deshpande said none of the three has been detained.

"We asked them to come here. They came to Goa. They were subjected to interrogation. Their statement was recorded. Then they were asked to go. No one was arrested or detained. There is no question of them being in our custody at any time," Deshpande said.

"Why the Baramati police made that station diary, you will have to ask them. The three persons were free to go anytime," he added.

--IANS