Journalism of Courage
After a study of the CCTV footage, investigators believe that the motorcycle carrying the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was parked in the parking lot of Faraskhana and Vishrambag police stations, located at a few feet distance from the Dagdusheth Ganpati temple, for around five hours before the blast. Meanwhile, the state anti terrorism squad (ATS), which is investigating this case, issued a press release on Friday saying the blast seems to be a part of “terrorist attack.”
Police sources said footage obtained from CCTV cameras installed in area near the blast site was being studied. A youth is seen reaching the parking lot around 9 am, they said.
He parked the motorcycle in the parking lot reserved for policemen, in front of the Shree Swami Samartha Snacks Centre and left. Around 2.05 pm, the IED exploded, leaving five persons injured. Six two-wheelers around this motorcycle were also left damaged.
Attempts are on to identify the route followed by the man in reaching the police station, parking the motorcycle and whether he got help from others.
An offence has been registered against unidentified persons, at the Vishrambag police station, under sections 307, 324, 427, 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code (IPC), sections 3,4,5 of the Indian Explosives Act and sections 16,18 of the Unlawful Activities of Prevention Act (UAPA).
The state ATS has formed 10 teams for investigating the case. ATS is recording the statements of the witnesses. ATS is also probing the motive behind the blast. Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple has been on the radar of terror outfits. Earlier, there was an alleged attempt to bomb the temple by Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Qateel Siddiui, on February 13, 2010, the day when the German Bakery blast took place.
‘Audiometry tests on injured students’
Sassoon General Hospital doctors have conducted further check-ups on two patients who were admitted on Thursday after the low intensity blast near Faraskhana police station. Dr D G Kulkarni, medical superintendent of Sassoon general hospital said audiometry tests would be conducted to rule out ear injury.
Akash Shinde (18) and Sushant Salunke, a third year diploma student in civil engineering students of Eklavya Polytechnic had gone to Appa Balwant Chowk to purchase books and had parked their two-wheeler near Faraskhana police station when the blast occurred.
They were immediately taken to Sassoon hospital where doctors ruled out any major injuries. “However, as per protocol, we have to conduct various tests as it was a bomb blast. The ENT specialists will conduct an audiometry test and the students have also been put on an intravenous drip to administer antibiotics. They will remain in hospital till the treatment is over,” Dr Kulkarni said. (ENS)
