Without the Chief Minister in capital, the State police force "is directionless and unable act decisively", charged the DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Thursday.
In a statement here on the >the bomb blasts on board the Bangalore-Guwahati express at Chennai Central railway station, Mr. Karunanidhi said the police had arrested an ISI operative Zakir Hussain two days ago. But even if they were efficient, the police could not take precautionary measures in the absence of Chief Minister in the capital at this critical time and act with precision which has led to the twin blasts, he said.
“The police are clueless and directionless,” he said. The blasts could have been averted if the investigations were carried out properly after the arrest of Zakir Hussain, he said asking the police force to take action based on inputs on terror plots from the intelligence wing.
Quoting media reports, Mr. Karunanidhi said the State was reeling under drought conditions and deterioration in law and order situation. The power situation was also bleak, he said wondering if the government was functional.
The DMDK founder and Opposition leader Vijayakant questioned as to what the State police was doing to avert the blasts, even after warning from the Central intelligence agencies. Mr. Vijayakant also wondered why the Chief Minister was in Kodanadu when the State was facing crisis on multiple fronts.
The TNCC president B.S.Gnanadesikan said there were reports of the movement of extremist elements in the State for the past few months. Sri Lankans have also been arrested. An ISI agent was also arrested two days ago. Considering such a background, it was evident that terrorists were involved in various plots in the country and this has to be tackled with an iron hand, he demanded.
PTI adds:
CPI (M) also condemned the blasts and party's state unit secretary G Ramakrishnan demanded that those behind the incident be arrested at the earlier.
MDMK founder Vaiko, TNCC president BS Gnanadesikan and PMK leader S Ramadoss also condemned the blasts, >that left one woman dead and 14 others injured.
