From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 2: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has claimed that there is a strong link and similarity in the November 2022 cooker blast case in Mangaluru and the Rameswaram cafe bomb explosion at Bengaluru’s Indiranagar on Friday and termed the case as serious.

Shivakumar, who visited the blast spot and the hospital immediately after the explosion that left several customers injured, said the police are investigating the case and the perpetrators will be nabbed soon.

Speaking to media persons near his residence on Saturday, he said, "Seven to eight teams have been formed for the investigation and they are looking into it. We have information on the bomber's identity and movements.

“We can't disclose more information on this as the investigation is on. We have given full freedom to the police to investigate this case and perpetrators will be brought to book soon,’’ he said.

Answering questions on BJP leaders’ criticism of the law and order situation in the City, he said the BJP leaders must remember the incidents that took place at Mangaluru, Shivamogga and even near their State party office in Bengaluru when they were in power.

“If a bomb blast at a Bengaluru café is a law and order failure, what are the BJP leaders saying about the incidents under their government? There is a limit to politicising incidents and BJP must show some restraint,’’ he said.

He said, "Let the BJP leaders continue their criticism, we are concerned about upholding state's reputation. Whether the BJP decides to support the investigation or decides to play politics, we will investigate this thoroughly."

The Deputy Chief Minister said, "Looks like there are similarities between this and Mangaluru blast cases. Mangaluru and Shivamogga police are also joining the investigation. The people of Bengaluru need not worry."

On BJP leaders saying that they would support if the State government doesn't try to cover up the incident, he said, "We are watching the politics BJP is playing over this. We are aware of their attempts to ruin the reputation of Bengaluru. We don't want their support."

Asked if this was a failure of intelligence agencies, he said, "Not like that, such incidents have happened during BJP rule also.”

Shivakumar said the State Government would bear the cost of treatment of all the people injured in the blast. Compensation will be given if needed, he added.