Tejasvi Surya said he has asked Home Minister Amit Shah to open a NIA cell in Bengaluru.
Tejasvi Surya, the new chief of the BJP's youth wing, has drawn criticism over his remark that Bengaluru has become the "epicentre of terror activities". While his tweet on the matter has drawn attacks on social media, with many pointing out that Karnataka is ruled by the BJP, the opposition Congress has said the BJP should sack the new youth leader.
Congress's DK Shivakumar -- the longtime trouble-shooter who is now heading the party's state unit -- said, "The BJP should sack him. He is killing Bengaluru. It is a shame or the BJP".
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has expressed support for the young MP. "'I have been asking the Prime Minister for NIA here for some years now. I congratulate the PM and Home Minister for agreeing," he said. Asked whether he endorses Mr Surya's statement, Mr Yediyurappa said , "He just said in this sense that nowadays in Bangalore terrorist activities are increasing".
In an interaction with the media yesterday -- a first since he was named for the post -- Tejasvi Surya said, "In last few years, Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, has become the epicentre of terror activities. It has been proved through many arrests and sleeper terror cells busted by the investigative agency in the city".
As evidence, the MP cited the recent mob attacks at the city's KJ Halli and DJ Halli areas.
"It is a matter of grave concern that NIA investigations into the DJ Halli and KG Halli mob violence in August have indicated that many terrorist organisations are using Bengaluru as their incubation centre for carrying out anti-India activities," he said.
In August, three persons were killed in police firing and 60 policemen were injured during clashes at DJ Halli and KG Halli areas in the eastern part of Bengaluru. The violence had started over an offensive Facebook post, allegedly by the relative of a Congress MLA.
The MP, who represents Bengaluru South in Lok Sabha, said he has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to open a cell of the National Investigation Agency in the city.
"For a long time there was a demand that there must be a full-fledged NIA office in Karnataka," he said, pointing out that the agency currently has an office in Hyderabad. Amit Shah, he said, has assured him "that the same will be established soon".
"In last few years, Bluru has become epicenter of terror activities, proven through many NIA arrests & busted sleeper cells in the city. I urged Hon HM Sri @AmitShah Ji to set up a permanent division of NIA in Bluru. I thank him for his assurance that it will be set up soon!" his tweet read.