The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday began a probe into the discovery of high-grade PETN explosive inside the Uttar Pradesh assembly. Officials informed that the NIA team arrived here late on Friday and was immediately briefed about the case.
The NIA officials, other than visiting the spot where the Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate explosive was discovered on Thursday evening, were also likely to grill the security staff and agencies of the state police responsible for security of the Vidhan Sabha.
The state security personnel will be quizzed on as to why no action was taken to spruce up security despite a tip-off from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in May about a possible terror plot to attack the state assembly when in session.
The NIA team will also question the House marshals and other security staff along with janitors and others who has access to the exclusive area, near the seat of Leader of Opposition.
CM Adityanath Calls For High-Level Meet
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called for a high-level meeting on Friday over the issue of security in and around Vidhan Sabha after some suspicious white substance was found during a session.
The Home Ministry has been urged by the UP government to investigate into the incident which the UP CM called a “dangerous terror conspiracy”, through NIA.
When the Home Ministry issues order for an NIA investigation, the NIA will re-register the case and begin probe from all anglesNIA sources
About 150 gm of the white powdery explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of the Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Choudhary on Wednesday.
It’s someone’s shararat (mischief) and such people need to be exposed... Everyone needs to be cautious related to security matters. Police verification needs to be done for workers in assembly... Security guidelines must be issued and everyone must follow themYogi Adityanath
‘Tighter the Security the Better’
An Anti Terrorism Squad team on Saturday combed the area in and around the UP assembly. It had also conducted an extensive security check-up of the premises on 14 July.
Speaking to media, Prabhakar Chaudhary SP, ATS, said the area is being “surveyed according to security plan so that team will be ready for every situation.”
Tighter the security the better
The Lucknow Fire department conducted a mock drill at the assembly as well.
ATS team at the UP assembly on Saturday.
(Photo: ANI)
He informed that packets of pan masala etc. were found at many places. A packet with magnesium sulphate has also been seized and will be sent for test if need be.
The quantity of the explosive was 150 grams. According to experts, 500 gm of this explosive is enough to blow up the House, the CM said.
PETN is one of the most dangerous plastic explosives available in the black market and preferred by terrorists as the colourless crystals easily pass through security checks.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Anand Kumar later told reporters that for an explosion, three things are needed – explosive, detonator and power pack (source of power). “Here only explosive has been found,” Kumar said.
He said a probe is on in the matter and CCTV footage will be studied.
Uttar Pradesh Police swung into action and registered an FIR against unknown persons under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 121A (conspiring to wage war).
The CM later met with Principal Secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar and DGP Sulkhan Singh, directing officials to review security of the assembly, according to Times of India.
Soon after the CM’s address in the Assembly, a student was also arrested by the UP Police for giving threats over phone to blow up the UP assembly on 15 August and a mobile phone was also seized, according to ANI.
The CM stressed that a “strong security system must be established” since this could be a “terror conspiracy”.
Implementing strict measures for lawmakers to follow during assembly sessions, the UP CM said they “must keep their mobile phones on silent as the noise breaks the seriousness of discussions and they must jot down notes”. He added that bags and mobile phones must be kept outside the house.
Security personnel were seen manning the area around the Vidhan Sabha on Friday.
The UP Assembly session began this week when the Yogi Adityanath-led government presented its first budget.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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