Patna, Jan. 24: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today took a dig at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for linking Bihar with the terrorists involved in the July 13, 2011 serial blasts in Mumbai.

Thackeray has launched a fresh attack on north Indians, singling out the arrest of two youths from Bihar for their alleged involvement in the 13/7 serial blasts.

“I have been saying that because of influx of north Indians, terror activities are on the rise. The arrest of terrorists hailing from Bihar yesterday, in the 13/7 serial blasts case, has confirmed my claim,” Raj said. “The Bihar connection in 13/7 case has been exposed. Will someone pay attention towards it or not? I don't know why a fuss is made over my statements,” he added.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, Nitish said: “It is not correct to link any state with terrorism. Bihar should not be blamed for the terrorists involved in the Mumbai serial blasts. A terrorist has nothing to do with any place, religion and caste. A terrorist is a terrorist and it is completely wrong to blame any state for terrorist activities.”

He added: “I have already asked the director-general of police to give all kind of support in the investigation. The police and other investigation agencies will investigate the case. So I would say that people should think before giving such comments that people involved in the blasts were from Bihar.”

Nitish said that such comments were an attempt to create a division within the country.

“The comment of the Maharashtra leader will break the country and harm communal harmony in society,” he added.

Thackeray said a day after Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad claimed to have cracked the case of the July 13, 2011 serial blast in Mumbai and arrested two suspects from Darbhanga.