Karnataka

Terrorist organisation’s role not ruled out in Hubli court blast, says Srikumar

Quest for more security: The advocate fraternity speaking to Director-General and Inspector-General of Police R. Srikumar during his visit to the blast site in Hubli on Thursday.

HUBLI: Director-General and Inspector-General of Police R. Srikumar has said that the role of terrorist organisations could not be ruled out in the bomb blast that occurred in the JMFC (First Court) in Hubli on May 10. He was addressing a press conference in Hubli on Thursday, after visiting the spot of the blast.

Mr. Srikumar said that apart from the SIM card that was found at the blast site, investigating officers had found several clues.

He declined to make a comment on whether any terrorist organisation was involved in the blast.

He also refused to comment on reports that a person had been arrested in connection with the blast, in Belgaum district. On whether the Hubli blast was in any way related to the Jaipur serial blasts, Mr. Srikumar said the case was still in the investigation stage.

He said that the next course of action was to strengthen the security, especially in the wake of the Assembly elections. However, he clarified that in case it was found that the officials had failed in their duties, appropriate action would be initiated. He also didn’t want to term it as a case of intelligence failure.

On the problem of infiltrators from Bangladesh and charges by some political parties that the infiltrators could be acting as “sleeping cells”, Mr. Srikumar said a way of checking the menace was the issuing of the proposed “National Identity Cards”, which in fact, was being implemented in a few States already.

He said there was a proposal for installing close circuit televisions in court complexes, including the High Court and Hubli court for strengthening security.

The department had also chalked out proposals for upgradation of weapons and modernisation of the police force which required funding of Rs. 5,000 crore. As and when the funds were made available, the modernisation would be carried out, he said.

He said steps were being taken to strengthen policing at the grassroot-level. He said there was need for technology proficient policing also.

Elaborating on the security arrangements for the second and third phase of the Assembly elections in the State, Mr. Srikumar expressed confidence that the next phases would also be peaceful as the department had taken all the necessary steps.

He said the services of the Central paramilitary forces were being utilised. A total of 225 companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed for poll duties in the State. In all, 58,000 police personnel were also taking care of the security.

Earlier, the DGP visited the JMFC (First Court) in Hubli where the bomb blast had occurred on May 10. During his visit, the members of the Bar Association submitted a memorandum seeking adequate security measures in the court complex.

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