Ahmedabad: Crime Branch sleuths have arrested eight persons, including two women, from Ahmedabad and Mumbai in connection with the conspiracy to disrupt annual 'Rathyatra' celebrations held earlier in 2003, and assassinate prominent Hindu leaders.

The arrested persons have links with Chhota Shakeel and Dawood Ibrahim, Crime Branch officials told reporters on October 7.

While four persons, including a woman were arrested from Mumbai, the remaining four, which also includes a woman were arrested from the city, Crime Branch officials said, adding that all were arrested on October 6.

The arrested persons had connections with the two sharp-shooters shot dead by Crime Branch on June 23, on the eve of 'Rathyatra' in the city. The sharp-shooters had allegedly sneaked into the city to assassinate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Ashok Bhat and Bharat Barot.

PTI