Author: Ganesh Thakur
Publication: Mid day
Date: July 17, 2006
Introduction: ATS, police want to unearth
role played by local operatives in 7/11 blasts
After combing operations in Malwani and Mahim
- conducted over the last five days - the Mumbai police will zero in on areas
in south Mumbai in their effort to make headway in the 7/11 blasts case. From
July 12, the Malwani and Mahim police, with assistance from the Anti-Terrorism
Squad (ATS), detained more than 500 people for interrogation. However, the
cops released most of the detainees after grilling them.
A senior officer of the Mumbai police said,
"As no terrorist outfit has claimed responsibility for the blasts, the
ATS and the police want to unearth the role played by local operatives. Our
combing operation will intensify over the next few days, with special emphasis
on several pockets in South Mumbai." The operations will begin this week.
A senior ATS official said, "We hope
the combing operation will help our investigation. The blasts were planned
over months. It's obvious the conspirators stayed in the city and hatched
the plan. We want to reach the places they stayed in through this drive."
Late-night swoop
On July 12, police rounded up more than 250 people from the Ambujwadi Slum,
Malwani, for interrogation. Senior Inspector Sanjay Jadhav said, "They
were held as preventive action and released after 24 hours. We have not come
upon any clues so far, but our operation will continue."
Most of the Ambujwadi residents are labourers
who live in makeshift shanties. Ambujwadi is an illegal slum that was demolished
in 2004, but most people have rebuilt their shacks since. According to police
sources, the crime rate in this area is high.
1993 hangover
On Saturday, the Mahim police picked up more than 250 people from Naya Nagar
in Mahim, allegedly frequented by illegal Bangladeshi migrants. It is a hub
of criminals, say the police. "Seven out of them - wanted in other cases
- were arrested," said Senior Inspector Joe Fernandes of Mahim police.
"During such operations, we try to find out the new faces in these areas.
Moreover, these drives help you to nab those wanted in other cases and absconders,"
added Fernandes.
The officer said Naya Nagar was also combed
for the role it played in the 1993 blasts case. "We came upon several
vital clues from Naya Nagar locals post 1993 blasts. Hence, we decided to
comb it again," he explained.
ganesh.thakur@mid-day.com
