Goa Home minister Ravi Naik has admitted to intelligence failure in the Margao blast in which two members of a right wing Hindu group were killed in Goa on October 16.

"State intelligence agencies had no knowledge of the blast in the commercial town, which clearly indicates the failure," Naik told a local media channel during a television show, last night.

"Sanatan Saunstha was under police scanner after Thane and Panvel blasts in Maharashtra but despite this they had no inkling of what is being conspired by its members," he said.

Two Saunstha seekers--Malgonda Patil and Yogesh Naik died in the blast and were named as accused in the case while two more were arrested later for planting a bomb at Sancoale, 20 kms away from the blast site. The minister said that state was contemplating ban on the right wing group, if they are found involved in the blast, which occured after an expolosive device kept in a scooter wnt off on a busy street in Margao,30 kms from here on Diwali eve.

"We are studying their literature and have watch on their activities," he said.

The minister said that he has asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the blast sans any political interference.

"I will take action against anyone trying to politically influence the police," Naik said.

Naik also said that an earlier police complaint against Saunstha mouthpiece, should have been probed properly. Prashant Naik, a social activist, had lodged a police complaint against 'Sanatan Prabhat', the group's mouthpiece for appealing people to observe Independence Day as Black Day.

... contd.