The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Only 26 blast suspects are in detention, says Jana Reddy

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Sunday, Oct 28, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Only 26 blast suspects are in detention, says Jana Reddy

‘The arrested Bangladeshi nationals are not involved in terrorist incidents’

HYDERABAD: Refuting charges of harassment of Muslim youth, the State Government has clarified that cases have been registered against 26 people suspected to be linked to the bomb blasts at Mecca Masjid and the twin blasts that followed later.

While 60 persons were taken into custody for questioning in the aftermath,, 32 have been let off and 26 persons are still under detention.

In addition, the police took into custody 22 Bangladeshis staying illegally in the city, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy said.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting convened by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to review law and order here on Saturday, the Minister said the arrested Bangladeshi nationals were not related to terrorist activities.

However, cases had been registered against them for possessing fake passports, ration cards and other documents.

He termed as “absurd” the allegations by some organisations that police had detained and tortured several Muslim youth.

The Chief Minister too had expressed anguish over the “misinformation campaign” in spite of the fact that questioning people based on valid information was essential.

Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, Mr. Jana Reddy said, it was decided to open a separate cell headed by an officer of the rank of additional commissioner in the city to receive complaints on reports or allegations of arrests. According to an official release, officials informed Dr. Reddy that there is a marginal increase of 2.77 per cent in total cognizable offences during the year.

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