Youth who stabbed man in Shivamogga has links with Pak-based terror outfits: K'taka HM
'case to handed over to NIA'
Shivamogga, Sep 3: One of the four persons arrested for stabbing a Rajasthani youth on August 15 in Shivamogga has links with Pakistan-based terror outfits, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said on Saturday.
Jnanendra was referring to the violent incident over Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar's poster at a public place in Shivamogga in which four people allegedly stabbed 20-year-old Prem Singh, an employee of a garment store.
In this connection, people arrested four persons -- Nadeem, Rehman, Ahmed and Mohammed Zabiullah.
"The case of Zabiullah is extremely scary if we look into the background. We are getting information that he has links with various terrorist groups. We are getting evidences also. Shortly, this case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency," Jnanendra told reporters.
He also wondered why there was a protest march against these people in Shivamogga.
"Can we expect such people to save our country who have links with terrorist groups? How to expect maintaining peace with such people? A special inquiry is happening against them," Jnanendra said.
Police sources said when the police investigated Zabiullah's phone, they came across the fact that he has links with terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The arrested man has already been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), they said.
Though it is not known for how long Zabiullah had been actively in touch with the terror groups, sources added that some more details may emerge as the investigation proceeds further.
On August 15, right-wing outfits put up posters of Savarkar and Deendayal Upadhyaya at Amir Ahmed Circle in the city.
Protesting against it, some Muslim youth demanded that they should be allowed to put up 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan's poster at the same venue.
This led to the clash between two groups and Prem Singh, who was in his shop, got stabbed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Annamalai questions Naxals surrender policy in Karnataka
Udupi (Karnataka), Jan 11: Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has raised concerns over the Naxal surrender and rehabilitation policy in Karnataka, questioning its effectiveness and transparency.
Annamalai, who had served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Udupi between January 2015 and August 2016 and as SP Chikkamagaluru, considered a hotbed of Naxals in Karnataka, in 2018, had convened a press conference in Udupi on Saturday.
According to him, while the policy aims to reintegrate former Naxals into mainstream society, doubts persist regarding its implementation.
He pointed out that surrender and encounter cases have sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning the circumstances under which these events unfolded.
"The recent Naxals surrenders, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, raise several questions. The process, which involves surrenders in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, appears to have been made too easy for Naxals," he said.
Annamalai also questioned the credibility of the surrender process, stating that the government's approach could create doubts about the policy's integrity. He cited the case of Vikram Gowda's encounter, which has triggered concerns among locals.
"There are reports that the Chief Minister himself was involved in the surrender process, and weapons were displayed in a remote forested location. The public is finding it difficult to believe this narrative," he added.
The remarks come amid growing debates on the handling of Naxal issues in Karnataka, with political leaders and activists weighing in on the government's approach to surrender.
Annamalai was in Udupi to launch "Samvidhana Badalayisisddu Yaaru?" (Who changed the Constitution?), authored by Vikas Kumar P, at an event organised by the Citizens for Social Justice today.
Taking to 'X' post the event, Annamalai wrote, "This book highlights the numerous amendments made during the Congress regime, which sought to undermine our citizens' fundamental rights, civic liberties, and even the very meaning of the Preamble."
He had also posted on X that he met today and received blessings from the current Paryaya Swami, His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sugunendra Theerth Swamiji, of Jagadguru Sri Madhwaachaarya Moola Mahaa Samsthaanam, Shri Puthige Matha, Udupi.
