Bengaluru, May 12 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that the state government was ready to hand over to the NIA, the probe into the discovery of gelatin sticks that triggered a security scare along Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy route in Bengaluru recently.
He said the state police did a “good job” by finding the gelatin sticks well ahead of the PM’s visit and were probing the incident.
“It is under investigation, I don’t want to share more details as the investigation is on. One person has been arrested in connection with a phone call claiming a bomb had been planted near the Art of Living Foundation and he is being interrogated. Police have secured gelatin sticks from a roadside to the venue and it will be investigated,” Parameshwara told reporters.
“I have got information regarding the NIA seeking to probe the incident. If they ask, we will give; let them investigate,” he added.
High level security is provided by both state and central agencies for the events attended by the PM, Parameshwara said, adding the gelatin sticks were found two hours ahead of the PM’s programme. “I feel they (police) have done a good job.” Asked whether there was any terror connection to the incident, he said, “I don’t know. Nothing can be said until investigation is done. We can only say after the probe is completed.” A suspicious packet containing two gelatin sticks was found on the outskirts of the city, where PM Modi’s convoy was scheduled to pass on Sunday, triggering a temporary security scare.
Modi was in Bengaluru to attend the 45th Foundation Day celebrations at the Art of Living Foundation centre on Kanakapura Road near Kaggalipura.
A senior police officer said on Monday that a team of NIA officials has begun examining the incident.
Police are also scanning CCTV footage along the route to identify who placed the gelatin sticks and to ascertain the motive behind it.
A special investigation team comprising nearly 50 personnel, including four inspectors, has been formed to probe the incident. A case has been registered at Kaggalipura police station under the provisions of the Explosives Act.
Separately, on Sunday, ahead of PMs visit, Bengaluru’s Koramangala police station received a threat call claiming that bomb blasts would be carried out near HAL Airport and the Art of Living Centre, where Modi was scheduled to visit.
The threat immediately put security agencies on high alert, leading to intensified anti-sabotage checks and route inspections by bomb disposal squads and police personnel deployed for bandobast duty.
Police detained a man from Koramangala in connection with the threat call. Senior officers are questioning the detained individual as part of the investigation.
Police are trying to determine the origin of the gelatin sticks, how they reached the location, and whether there is any connection between the threat call and the recovery.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and former minister B Sriramulu demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into what he alleged was a serious security lapse during the PM’s visit.
Speaking at reporters here, he accused the Congress government of failing to ensure proper security arrangements for the Prime Minister.
“When the Prime Minister travels anywhere in the world, proper security is provided. In such a situation, how can it be acceptable that the security arrangements were not in order when he came to the state.” He alleged a grave security concern during the visit, stating that gelatin sticks were found on the designated route of the Prime Minister.
Sriramulu further alleged that around 100 inspectors were transferred ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, questioning the need for such action. PTI KSU GMS SA
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