BJP govt declared Mangaluru blast an act of terrorism even before probe: DKS

Bengaluru, Dec 15: Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Thursday questioned the BJP government for declaring Mangaluru blast as a terror act even before initiating an investigation. Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra however tore into Shivakumar’s allegations by saying it as an attempt to demoralise the police department.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar asked “why the BJP government delayed handing over the Mangaluru blast case to the National Investigation Agency, raising suspicion that it was not an attack akin to Mumbai terror attack.” The BJP government is used to diverting the main issues by creating panic among the public which will slow down state’s development as investments would dry up in Mangaluru and Udupi regions, Shivakumar added.
Countering Shivakumar’s allegations, HM Jnanendra said the Congress was stooping to a new low every day and expressed sadness that the former minister was doing politics on terrorism. “This is nothing, but a bid to demoralize the police department,” he said.
On November 19, an explosion was reported in an auto rickshaw in Mangaluru, injuring the driver and the passenger, Mohammed Shariq (24) who is also the prime accused in the case. Karnataka police chief Praveen Sood called it a terror act and disclosed that the accused has links with organized terror groups. The case at present is being handled by NIA.