Date:20/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/20/stories/2008052057281200.htm

National

Anonymous letter to blow up LIC headquarters

Mumbai: Security has been beefed up at the Life Insurance Corporation headquarters at Nariman point here after it received an anonymous letter threatening the building will be blown up on May 24 if SIMI activists recently arrested from Indore and Lucknow were not immediately released.

Confirming the receipt of the letter, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Brijesh Singh said LIC authorities gave them the letter on Saturday, following which security at the building has been increased.

The letter was received at the LIC headquarters on May 17. The sender claimed to be a member of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and said the building would be blown up on May 24 if the arrested activists were not released.

In light of the current scenario, the letter had to be taken seriously and hence security has been beefed up near the building. The anonymous letter does not have the address of the sender.

The police is taking the matter seriously as it comes in the wake of the Jaipur serial blasts. The mention of Indore in the letter is also being viewed seriously as key SIMI activists were arrested there in March this year. — PTI