Why NIA needs to take over the Lucknow encounter probe

It would make sense since the investigating agency is already probing many cases related to the Islamic State in India.

The National Investigation Agency is likely to take over the probe into the Lucknow encounter in which a suspected terrorist inspired by the Islamic State was killed. The NIA has been probing several cases involving the IS in India. Home ministry officials say that since there is a larger conspiracy emerging the probe may be handed over to the NIA.

[How confusion marred the Lucknow encounter]

Saifullah was killed at Thakurganj near Lucknow following an 11-hour encounter with the Uttar Pradesh ATS. He was suspected to be involved in the Bhopal-Ujjain train blast that took place on Tuesday.

The NIA probe would be crucial after it was found that some members in Telangana were in touch with the youth in UP. The NIA is already probing a case relating to the IS in Telangana and to find the link further would give out more details regarding the operation and modus-operandi.

Polarising votes:

Meanwhile, an advocacy group has expressed doubts over the arrests and encounters in the case. Rihai Manch, the group, says that it was a tactic by the Central government to polarise the votes in the BJP's favour for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017.

The entire story leading to this action is riddled with loopholes, thus making it a case of political gain. The group also claimed that it had predicted such a scenario ahead of the elections. This would be done to help the BJP, the group said.

Rajnath to make a statement:

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on Thursday on the UP encounter. The Home ministry is miffed with the UP police for jumping the gun and claiming that the IS had staged its first attack in India.

Police officials have also been saying that this was a module inspired by the IS. The Home ministry too, has underplayed the presence of the IS in India. There are some members who are inspired by the group, but to say that the group has set up specific modules in India is wrong, an official said.

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