Wednesday, September 20 2006 16:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: "The investigations into the July 11 serial train blasts case were at a 'concrete stage' and the perpetrators of the crime would be bought to book soon, "said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil here today (Sept 20,2006).

He, however, refused to divulge further information on the issue saying it would hamper the investigations.

When asked about the involvement of any particular terror outfit, Patil told reproters,"We have not reached at any conclusion regarding it. Police is working in the right direction and at the right pace."

Patil, who also handles the Home portfolio, said that it inappropriate to speculate that the July 11 Mumbai serial train blasts and the Malegaon blasts of September 8 were interlinked though RDX has been proved to be used in the latter as well.

"The investigators have got some clues in the Malegaon blasts case," he added.

Patil said the state government was serious about intelligence gathering and also announced that 50 per cent of the recruitment in the state intelligence department would now be made directly.

"In view of having a specialised cadre, we decided to have 50 per cent direct recruitment in the department rather than deputing the state police cadre for three years," he told reporters on the sidelines of an official function.

Director General of Police P S Pasricha, who was alsopresent, said that adequate security arrangements were being made in view of Navratri and Dusshera festivals across the state and appealed the revellers to be alert.