Opposition corners government over 'silence' on arms hoarding at Attavar

Belgaum, Nov 27 (DHNS): Home Minister K J George was put on the defensive by BJP members in the Assembly, when he was asked to explain why Karnataka police did not take action when arms and ammunitions were being hoarded by supporters of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal at Attavar in Mangalore city.

BJP member Sunil Kumar, tabling a question in this regard on Tuesday, asked why the State police or the local police failed to book a case against those found in possession of arms and explosives. The chief minister, while replying to a question by the media, had even stated that he was unaware who Yasin Bhatkal was, he pointed out.

George said the issue was sensitive and being investigated by the National Investigative Agency (NIA). Hence, the government would not like to discuss it. In his written reply, he said the internal security division officials had information regarding the connection between Yasin Bhatkal and terrorists with the coastal districts.

Daniel alias Assadulla, an associate of Bhatkal, was arrested by the NIA at flat 301 of an apartment at Attavar.

The NIA also recovered certain explosive items from him. But it is not certain whether a bomb-making unit was located in Attavar, the minister said.

To a question whether the network of terrorists from Karnataka had spread to Kerala, George said both the states had a good police network and shared intelligence information. Bhatkal is now in the custody of the Delhi police.

But Sunil Kumar again raised the question why the State police had not acted till the NIA stepped in. The minister, who had no answer, just repeated that it is a sensitive issue being investigated by a national agency and there is no need for a State agency to investigate.