Fear shrouds City of Palaces Mysore

Mysore, Oct 28: The city palaces and the cultural capital of Karnataka, considered to be a pensioner's paradise is now shourded in fear with people shell shocked over the arrest of two Pakistani militants.

The city is slowly losing its identify and appears to emerge a heaven for anti-social elements who consider Mysore as a safest place in the country. The police authorities have already received the threats from the terrorist groups to the city, which hosted number of important and prestigious institutions of the country.

Questions are being raised about the safety of vital installations and Central research institutes including Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Indian Institute of Languages (CIIL) and other Centres. Another important highly guarded Centre in the city was Rare materials project, of the Department of Atomic energy, besides the Currency printing unit of the Reserve Bank of India.

In addition top class security ring had been thrown around prominent tourist destinations in the city including the Palace, the Brindavan Gardens abutting the K R Sagar and the century old Mysore Zoo.

Police commissioner Praveen Sood, who added another feather to his cap with the arrest of the two Al Badr militants yesterday told UNI that the people of heritage city could no longer be complascent that the city was insulated from the growing terrorism in the country.

He said the department had began investigation into the case and it was necessary to inquiry local people who had supported the two militants stay in the city since last ten months or so.

During the investigation many new and vital clues may be revealed. A special squad headed by Assistant Commissioner of police Krishnappa has been constituted to inquiry into the case.

Mr Sood said people have been warned to ascertain the antecedents of their tenants and inform same to the police for further action. This is first incident in which pakistani nationals with alleged terrorist links and claimed to be the member of the Al-Badr, a banned outfit in the country, was arrested in Karnataka.

When UNI Reporter went round the outskirts of extension areas of the city the owners of houses felt that they were no longer safe and should be more careful while renting out their houses. In view of the Mysore being the hot favourite among the property buyers from all over the country and finding totally strange faces now a days.

In Rajiv Nagara, Vijayanagara, J P Nagara, Bhogahi extensions, Ramakrishna Nagara, the people who own the houses have been renting out to the outsiders, including those working in the Information Technology companies and other institutions including foreigners who come to the city for the study and now began inquiry about the tenants proper records including identity.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had taken serious note of the arrest of the two militants and had convened a high level meeting of senior officials including top police brass at Bangalore to discuss arrangements made to face the security threat posed by the terrorism in the state.

UNI

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