Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said Monday's transfers of some top police officers in the state was to bring those experienced in dealing with bomb blast cases back into Mumbai's force.

Bhujbal told reporters at his Mantralaya office, "The incoming officers have worked closely in solving the case of the March 1993 bomb blasts. They will be able to use their expertise effectively to solve the recent bomb blast cases."

Dr Satyapal Singh took over as joint commissioner of police (crime) from Sridhar Vagal, who has taken over Dr Singh's post in the special investigating department of the Maharashtra police.

Mumbai's Railway Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria takes over as additional commissioner of police (crime). Maria's place at the head of the railway police has been taken over by Shrikant Savarkar.

"Rakesh Maria had played a crucial role in solving the bomb blasts case of 1993," Bhujbal said, "and Dr Singh has expertise in counter-terrorism and has solved many cases of terrorism."

The deputy chief minister, however, refused to give details about last week's blast at the Mulund railway station, saying he did not want to create any controversies.

When told about Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani's statement that the Jaish-e-Mohammad was involved in the blast, Bhujbal said that if the country's home minister was saying so, he must be having definite information.

He said the government is discussing with the railway authorities the possibility of removing the luggage racks in suburban trains, as was reportedly done in Britain after frequent terrorist bomb attacks by the Irish Republican Army.

Asked about the possibility of Portugal extraditing gangster Abu Salem, who is scheduled to be released from prison in Lisbon on Tuesday, to India, Bhujbal said, "I have no information on that. It is better if you ask the central government."

Vagal, speaking before handing over charge to Dr Singh, said, "The percentage of crime has come down considerably in 2002. Serious crime came down 40 per cent."

Vagal said the focus was more firmly on terrorism after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. There were 52 blasts in Maharashtra, he said, and external agencies are always trying to create disturbances in Mumbai. "It is a big challenge for everyone to tackle this problem," he said.

Asked if he was being removed for his failure to prevent the Mululnd blast, Vagal said, "There was no failure. This transfer is routine. In fact, a heavy burden has been taken away from me. I will have more time to spend with my family and read books."

Dr Singh, after taking over, said, "The entire world is facing a threat from terrorists. We have to make people aware of that. It is like a disease and every citizen has to play a role in solving this disease."