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Police close to solving Sabarmati Express case

Sheela Bhatt in Godhra

The Gujarat police are close to solving the Sabarmati Express fire case, district police chief of Panchmahal, Raju Bhargava, said on Thursday

Speaking to rediff.com, he said that four people have been arrested, including a municipal corporator.

He said a search is on for another municipal corporator, Bilal Haji, who fought as an independent.

"He is hiding in the city and we will find him out soon," Bhargava said.

Bhargava explained in detail how the heinous attack on the Sabarmati Express took place at Godhra. Fifty-eight people were killed and 43 others were injured in the attack.

Bhargava said that Godhra area is dominated by the tribal Ghanchi community, who are insular and follow an extremist brand of Islam, especially after the Islamist organisation Tabligh Jamat took roots and started dominating the madrassas in the area.

He claimed that the police were on alert and had in fact posted a police party at the Godhra railway station, fearing violence between the karsevaks and the Godhra Ghanchi Muslims.

He said the trouble arose when slogan shouting VHP activists clashed with shopkeepers at stations where the train stopped.

"According to our information when Sabarmati Express train passed by Ratlam and Dahod before coming to Godhra, there were minor clashes on those stations. In these three vendors, all Muslims, were injured," he said.

He said the word about the clashes reached Godhra, and when the train arrived, it was surrounded by a big mob, which attacked it.

On the progress made by the police team probing the case, Raju said, "We have shortlisted eight names. Four of them have been arrested. Bilal Haji, the man who masterminded the attack is hiding. He is in the city but evading arrest. We will nab him very soon."

He claimed that there were many witnesses who had seen Bilal instigating and guiding the crowd to attack the train.

"We have arrested Salim Sheikh, Razak Doongeria, Kankatta (Zamura) and Altaf. All of them are local men and are known for their communal views," he said.

The Sabarmati in Flames: Complete Coverage

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