Organised network, says CM as Oppn targets govt on law and order situation

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said in Ballari that the police are making all efforts to unearth the terror plot related to the cooker bomb blast in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru on Saturday evening.

“The investigation is being done from all angles. Preliminary investigation has revealed that this is a terror act and an improved explosive device (IED) had gone off. The suspect was using a fake ID card with fake Hubballi address. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau are at the site of the blast. The NIA will take over the probe. There is suspicion that the suspect travelled to Mangaluru from Coimbatore. There is an organised network and we will bust it soon”, he said.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the intent behind the terror act will be revealed after the investigation is completed.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, in a video message, said, “A man who was injured in an explosion in an auto-rickshaw in Mangaluru on Saturday evening is being treated at a reputed hospital. I have already communicated with all the departments concerned. The police are taking swift action. Central agencies have also arrived and it has been found that the blast is linked to terrorist activities. The police will crack the case soon”.

State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra also suspected it to be a terror-related incident.

After DG&IGP Praveen Sood tweeted saying that the blast was an act of terror, Opposition leaders targeted the state government saying that it has failed to maintain law and order in the state.

DGP has confirmed that the blast in Mangaluru is an act of terror. I strongly condemn this act of violence & strongly urge the police to immediately arrest those responsible for the act.#MangaluruBlast

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 20, 2022

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah tweeted saying that the blast has exposed the failure of the Intelligence department, and said that the Home Minister should accept responsibility. He urged the people not to panic and give leads to the police about any suspected persons.

The blast has exposed the failure of the intelligence department, & home minister should accept the responsibility.

I urge the people not to panic and give leads to the police about all the suspected persons.#MangaluruBlast

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 20, 2022