The latest Intelligence Bureau report received by the state through the Union home ministry has warned about possible communal flareups in Dhule, Miraj, Ichalkaranji, Nanded, Malegaon and Beed. Home minister R.R. Patil confirmed receiving an IB report on possible communal tension in certain parts of the state, but refused to share any information about it.
The source from IB, on condition of anonymity, said that Dhule and Miraj are already on the list of sensitive districts. “Now, Malegaon, Nanded, Ichalk-anagi and Beed have been included in the list of communally sensitive places in Maharashtra,” he said.
According to the source, the IB has pointed out that at least 50 districts across 13 states are “highly prone and sensitive to communal riots in the next year’s Lok Sabha elections”. Both political parties and anti-social elements will try to take advantage of the situation, the source added.
When asked about the report, Mr Patil admitted that he received it; however, he refused to elaborate on it. “Such information can’t be shared. It will be discussed in the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting, so it would be inappropriate to talk about it before the meeting,” said the state home minister.
The report will be discussed in the NIC meeting on Monday that will focus on increasing incidents of communal riots across the country and threats from inland anti-social elements.
Prime minister Dr Man-mohan Singh will chair the NIC meeting at New Delhi. In view of the Muzaff-arnagar communal riots, the meeting has assumed more significance. State chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Mr Patil will attend the meeting.
In another report, the IB has claimed that security agencies should pay special attention towards the Beed district, as it has become a safe base for Indian Mujahideens (IM) and other anti-social elements.