Not acceptable: CM slams KPCC chief’s statement on M’luru cooker blast case

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai took a swipe at the Congress saying that it should decide if it is pro-terrorists or patriots, in view of the Mangaluru cooker blast case.

Bommai’s reply comes after Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief D K Shivakumar alleged that the cooker bomb explosion in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru last month was declared a “terror activity” without any investigation and it might have been a “mistake”.

“It was not the job of patriots to make statements that will affect the morale of the police department and of the nation. Let it be clear first if they are in favor of terrorists or patriots, He is giving a statement like this to appease the minority community votes. The terrorists are caught along with evidence. Making such statements will only extend support to the terrorists”, said Bommai.

He added that the senior leaders of the Congress party, like former party president Sonia Gandhi, MP Rahul Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge should make their stand clear on the cooker blast case. “The KPCC president D K Shivakumar’s statement is not acceptable. Let Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge reply and make their stand clear. Don’t support terrorists in the backdrop of an election to please a particular community. This is what they do to get minority votes”, said CM Basavaraj Bommai.

A cooker bomb blast occurred near Naguri in Mangaluru.

On November 19, a low-intensity explosion was reported in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru. Auto driver Purushotham, and the prime accused, identified as 24-year-old Mohammed Shariq, suffered burn injuries and shopkeepers and local residents rushed to their rescue soon after the blast.

On November 20, Karnataka Police identified the bomber as Thirthahalli-based Mohammed Shariq, a terror accused charged with links to the Islamic State (IS), who was on the run since September 2022. The alleged bomber had suffered nearly 40 per cent burns in the explosion.

A day after the explosion in Mangaluru, Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen Sood on said the mysterious blast was an “act of terror”. The case was later handed over to the NIA. (ANI)