BJP slams Congress govt’s ‘failure to crack down on terror’

Bengaluru: The late-night raids carried out by National Investigation Agency (NIA) across the state triggered a political storm with the BJP seizing the chance to target both the Karnataka government and the police over their failure to crack down on terror rings.

BJP leaders sought to know if the Police Department’s failure to root out terror in the state was a consequence of the state government’s policies that had left the law enforcement agencies in Karnataka weakened.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka lashed out at the government’s failure to ensure security in the prisons. Pointing out that terrorists were being aided even inside jails, Ashoka added, “The Home Department has lost its direction under Minister Dr G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.”

Urging the state government to waste no time in deporting illegal migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh, Ashoka called for the formation of a Special Task Force to oversee the operation. Calling on the government to move beyond vote bank politics, Ashoka said, “There is a need for tighter surveillance systems in prisons. Use of mobile phones inside prisons must be prevented.”

Former minister and BJP leader V Sunil Kumar went to the extent of alleging a nexus between the state officials and international terror organisations. “When prison staff are found aiding terrorists linked to organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba, it’s beyond shocking – it reflects the government’s soft approach towards dealing with terrorism,” said Kumar.

Expressing outrage over Junaid Pasha receiving assistance despite being incarcerated at Parapanna Agrahara, Kumar added, “The state’s anti-terror squad is either clueless or toothless.”

Accusing Siddaramaiah of weakening both anti-terror and anti-Naxal units, the former minister said, “Privileges are being extended to those accused of involvement in bomb blasts just so the Congress can protect its vote bank. The Congress government is targeting Hindu activists under the pretext of cracking down on hate speech, while real threats are being ignored.”