By IANS
Hyderabad : The Andhra Pradesh government Thursday night recommended to the central government to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the May 18 bomb blast at the historic Mecca Masjid here and announced a judicial probe into the subsequent police firing.
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekahara Reddy's decision comes after the Muslim community mounted pressure to order a probe into both the blast and the police firing.
The move is aimed at cooling tempers ahead of the Friday prayers as a thick security blanket has been thrown around the 17th century mosque to prevent any backlash.
A statement from the chief minister's office said he assured the Muslim brethren that the government would bring the perpetrators of the blast to book.
The blast during the Friday prayers had killed 11 people while five people died in the subsequent police firing on protestors.
Muslim organisations had demanded a CBI probe into both the blast and police firing. They alleged that police used excessive force against protestors.
"The government is absolutely transparent on such issues and came forward for CBI enquiries on all crucial issues. The chief minister said he is writing to the central government in this regard," said the statement.
The chief minister said he always shared the feelings and sentiments of the Muslim brethren and will do justice to them in all matters. He said nobody will be allowed to disturb the communal harmony and peace in the state.