Maharashtra mulling a ban on Sanatan Sanstha

The Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to ban Hindu right-wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha allegedly involved in the Margao blast on Diwali eve that left two persons dead, director general of Police SS Virk said here today.

Police investigation has revealed that both the deceased were associated with the Sanstha and suspected to have planted the explosive that went off on a busy street.

Asked as to why the Sanatan Sanstha was not banned last year despite a recommendation from the then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Virk told reporters, "We will discuss this and, if we feel it is necessary, we will surely ban the outfit."

He also said, the investigation into the blast was on and the identity of those involved was yet to be established. Virk was speaking on the sidelines of Commemoration Day parade to pay homage to policemen who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. A powerful blast had ripped through a busy street near Grace Church in Goa's Margao city on October 16.