On a confessional statement from one of the accused in the Godhra carnage, the special investigation team (SIT) today arrested Maulana Hussain Umarji, a respected Muslim religious leader, from his home in the wee hours. Zabir Bin Behra, in his confession described Maulana as the ‘main conspirator’ behind the Godhra carnage. Maulana was presented before a Railway mobile magistrate in Vadodara and later remanded to five days police custody.Interestingly, the investigation into the carnage which has been on for almost a year, has turned up various names as ‘main’ conspirators. First it was Haji Bilal, then Razak Kurkur. Now it is Maulana Umarji. The arrest sparked some protest and tension in the town. Shops in Muslim localities downed shutters and police patrolling was intensified, specially during the namaz hours. However, no violence was reported.Last night, police arrested Mehmood Khalid Chanda, another absconder in the case, from Singal Falia. DIG (Crime) Rakesh Asthana maintained that besides Behra’s statement, ‘‘other leads’’ also led to Maulana. According to Behra’s confession, Umarji had provoked about 12 Muslim youths, including him, and while telling them that karsevaks were returning in Sabarmati Express, planned to attack them.
