K'taka CM denies Opposition charge

Kollur, Aug 3 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today denied the Opposition charge that the State police had failed to handle the situation after the recent serial blasts in Bangalore.

Talking to newspersons here, he said soon after the eight blasts, in which one woman was killed and seven were injured, the police had acted swiftly and ensured that the situation was under control.

Mr Yeddyurappa said, ''Destabilising forces were hatching a systematic conspiracy to create insecurity among people all over the nation. My government is fully committed to contain such terrorist acts. We have asked the police to enforce Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) and Anti-Goonda Act in such circumstances.'' Under the Act, a suspect could be arrested without a warrant. It enables the court to punish not only such syndicates, but also people who receive money from terrorist organisations.

The Chief Minister said people connected with naxal activities, anti-social elements and those harbouring such elements would be listed and action would be initiated against them.

The State Government had released Rs 25 crore to modernise equipments and strengthen the Intelligence Department, he added.

He said he had consulted the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil after the blasts and the Centre assured necessary assistance on the issue.

The police had so far nabbed three suspected terrorists involved in the blasts, he added.

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