Cops looking for 2 rumour mongers

The Nirmal Nagar police who are probing the Garib Nagar fire case in which over 100 shanties were gutted in a fire during a demolition drive on Friday, are on the lookout for two persons suspected to be main accused behind the fire, who were earlier involved in spreading a rumour during a previous demolition drive to stop the demolition.

According to the police, the duo are habitual offenders, and in a bid to stop an earlier demolition drive in the area, they had spread a rumour that the BMC and police had demolished a Masjid, causing tension in the area. Due to the rumours, the demolition drive had come to halt. The police had later arrested both of them and they were released on a bail. The police now believe that the duo are the main accused behind Friday's fire.

"Shabbir Khan (29) who has been arrested for starting the fire has said he was aware of the planning behind the fire and that another 8-10 people were involved in it. However, two men who were behind spreading rumours earlier are suspected to be the masterminds in this case as well,\" said a senior police officer.