Goa Police nabbed five activists of Sanatan Sanstha, a right-wing Hindu organisation, on October 17 in connection with the Margao blast which took place a day earlier in which two of their own accomplices sustained severe injuries. Critically injured Malgonda Patil succumbed to injuries and the other injured, Yogesh Naik, is critical and battling for life at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Police have registered cases under Sections 121, 122, 123 of IPC and Section 4 & 5 of Explosive Substances Act against them. Police said four bombs were planted, of which one exploded and two were defused in Margao and another near the Shantadurga temple at Sancoale on October 16 night about 20 km from Margao. The materials used for the improvised explosive device (IEDs) were similar and comprised of gelatin sticks to which small clocks and plastic boxes with circuits were attached.
The police conducted raids on the premises of Sanatan Sanstha’s ashram at Ramnathi, Ponda, on October 17. “The raids started at 9 am and ended at 2.30 pm. Altogether 30 rooms were searched and we have found some suspicious items like watches and some other electronic items. There were some 167 inmates, including some foreigners, residing at the ashram without any valid identity documents in violation of the law,” a senior police official said. Sources said the Maharashtra police also conducted similar raids at the Sanatan’s Sangli and Miraj offices.
“We are questioning almost all the Sanatan Sanstha members as the duo belonged to the group,” said SP Atmaram Deshpande. A team of the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad has reached Goa for investigations. The Sanatan Sanstha is reported to have link with the Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur.