Goa govt terms Sanathan seekers as terrorists

Panaji: The Goa government on Tuesday termed the four seekers of Hindu right wing organisation Sanatan Saunstha, arrested for Margao bomb blast, as 'terrorists.'

In a written reply tabled on the floor of the house, Home Minister Ravi Naik said,"Four terrorists were arrested by the Goa police in bomb blast incident, which took place at Margao and Verna respectively on the night of Diwali, last year."

The Home Minister has named foursome as Vinay Talekar, Vinayak Patil, Dhananjay Ashtekar and Dilip Maongaonkar.

Two people died when explosives they were carrying went off in Margao town on October 16.

Police arrested four people in this connection while fifth accused had surrendered before the court later.

Naik said that all the four accused were active in the state of Goa.

All the accused had confirmed their links with Sanatan Sanstha, a right wing Hindu Organisation, operating from Goa through its Ashram at Ramnathi village.

Frame charges against Sanatan in Margao blast case: Court

The Home Minister earlier had said that they were studying the possibility of banning Sanatan Sanstha and Director General of Police would study the charge sheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in this connection.

In the same reply, the Home Minister has said that in June this year a Naxal was arrested in the state.