'Bengaluru blasts case will be cracked soon'

The lack of any concrete breakthroughs in the investigations into the Bengaluru serial blasts has led to criticism of the Karnataka police and the state's administration determination to fight terror.

But state Home Minister Dr V S Acharya begs to differ. He told rediff.com that the government was committed in its fight against terror and it is only a matter of time before the Bengaluru serial blasts case is cracked.

A team of the Karnataka police is leaving for Gujarat next week to interrogate the Students Islamic Movement of India activists arrested in connection with the blasts in Ahmedabad, he said. Acharya said that it is too early to say whether the blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad are interlinked, but added that prima facie information suggest that they were. "Looking at the statements of the persons arrested, I feel that the two blasts are interlinked," he said.

He also added that the Karnataka police was making progress. "Several persons have been questioned so far and the police have several clues. It is only a matter of time before the case is cracked," he said. "We are in constant touch with the investigating agencies of various states and also with the central intelligence agencies who have been updating our state police. We have received some vital information," he added.

On the commitment of his government to fight terrorism, he said that the issue was not being taken lightly. "We are heading in the right direction and laws are being framed to tackle terrorism. The existing law Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act is being implemented strictly," he said.

"We are also considering reintroducing the Act with some modifications. I cannot give you a time frame as to when this would be done, but the government will table it in the next legislative session for approval," he said.