Activists say 200 youths picked up from Kondhwa, Camp, Yerawada

Spurred into action after alleged mass detentions of mostly Muslim youths from Kondhwa, local NGO Bharat Bachao Andolan Samiti plans to meet Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Rakesh Maria and Home Minister R R Patil to voice its concern on the manner in which the ongoing investigation into the German Bakery blast is being conducted.

A 10-member delegation of the NGO will meet senior officials with the demand that random detention of youths based on inconclusive evidence be stopped.

Activists said nearly 200 youngsters have been picked up from Kondhwa, Camp and Yerawada areas for questioning in connection with the February 13 German Bakery blast.

"The police are randomly picking up youths," said activist Feroz Mithiborwala.

The NGO also alleged that the direction of investigations points towards a conspiracy against the minority community. Mithiborwala and fellow NGO members Munwar Kureshi and Kishor Jagtap will be part of the delegation that will meet Home Minister Patil.

"We are meeting the home minister to voice our concerns and demand justice," said Mithiborwala.