CM says Rameshwaram Cafe blast suspect was wearing mask, cap; denies link with cooker blast

MYSURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the suspect in The Rameshwaram Cafe blast at Whitefield in Bengaluru was wearing a mask and a cap. The suspect bought a token, sat in the hotel, fixed the times and walked away before the explosion.

The suspect seen walking on road from CCTV footage.

Speaking to media persons here, the CM said the suspect has been caught on CCTV cameras getting off the bus and entering the hotel. “The police are trying to identify the suspect. At this juncture, it is not known whether it was a lone wolf act or if any organisation is behind it. It is still not clear if it is a terror act, but investigation is under way”, he said.

The detonator, battery and timer device found at the cafe.

While stating that he would visit the injured in hospital, the CM denied any link to the Mangaluru cooker blast. “That blast happened in a cooker. There was no cooker blast in this case”, he said.

On the opposition BJP’s charge that the blast was a result of appeasement politics, Siddaramaiah shot back saying, “So, what about the blasts that occurred during the BJP rule? Was that appeasement politics? The BJP is only politicising the issue. It has nothing to do with standing up for minorities. The issue should not be politicised”.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah briefing media persons in Mysuru on Saturday.

On the pro-Pakistan slogan raised in Vidhana Soudha during the Rajya Sabha election victory of Congress candidate Syed Naseer Hussain, the CM said the FSL report has not yet been received. “There is no question of protecting anyone. When the report has not come in, how can i react to BJP’s allegations?” he remarked.