Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060906570100.htm

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Authenticity of CD being verified: Ministry

Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry said on Friday it was enquiring into the authenticity of a CD containing a threat against India.

The CD, purported to have been released in Srinagar by an outfit claiming to be associated with the Al-Qaeda, threatened to unleash a bloodbath.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta was in touch with the Director of Intelligence Bureau P.C. Haldar and also spoke to the Director-General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Gopal Sharma and top internal security officials. Home Minister Shivraj Patil was also apprised of the development. "The issue of the CD has come to our notice. We are conducting a necessary enquiry. We view these threats as desperate efforts by terrorists and anti-national elements to create problems in the country and scare amongst the people," a Ministry spokesman said here.

There was no need for any panic, he said. A close watch was being maintained by all Central and State government agencies.