Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Monday filed charges against 11 activists of a Hindu right wing organisation for the 2009 Diwali-eve blasts in Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it is wrong to link terrorism to any religion while the Congress welcomed the move.
“They can name the organisation behind the blast. That is fine but linking it to a religion is wrong. Terror has no religion. It is wrong to jump into a conclusion and point a finger at a religion,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman said.

“Terror, terror outfits and threats to national security should be dealt with by law, a media trial should be avoided and institutions should be allowed to function,” she added

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh retorted by saying that the NIA’s probe into the blast was a right decision by the government.

“I congratulate the NIA for filing the charge sheet and the BJP has no other option but deny the links traced by the NIA,” he said.

The NIA’s first charge sheet, probing the Oct 16, 2009, Goa blast in Margao, was filed against 11 members of the Sanathan Sanstha on charges of criminal conspiracy and collecting arms for waging a war against the state and mischief. The agency has also charged the 11 under the Explosive Substance Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Of the 11, four are in custody and five are absconding. The remaining two members were killed in the accidental blast that took place while they were ferrying explosives to a Diwali festival gathering in Margao. They have also been named as the accused in the charge sheet.