The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for any information leading to the apprehension of the individual responsible for planting the low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a cafe in Rameshwaram. The blast, which occurred on March 1, resulted in injuries to at least 10 individuals present at the cafe during the incident.
The NIA has released a sketch of the accused in a ‘wanted’ poster and has assured informants that their identities will be kept confidential. Despite intensive efforts by both the Central Crime Branch and the NIA, no arrests have been made in connection with the blast case thus far.
The NIA commenced its investigation on Tuesday following a directive from the Union Home Ministry, as the Karnataka government opted not to transfer the probe to the central agency. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara revealed that the city police have uncovered vital leads and are making significant strides towards solving the case.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the cafe temporarily closed its doors and is scheduled to reopen on March 8. The blast occurred during the lunch hour rush, injuring 10 individuals, although their injuries were reported to be non-serious.
Investigations revealed that the suspect entered the cafe an hour prior to the explosion, stayed for only a few minutes, and left behind a bag containing the IED with a timer. Despite ordering a plate of rava idli, the suspect did not consume it, raising suspicions about his intentions.
Based on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, the NIA has identified the suspect as a tall, slim-built individual aged between 30 to 40 years. While the suspect initially wore a mask to conceal his identity, recent images released by the NIA depict his face more clearly.
In a separate development, reports emerged on Tuesday alleging that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Dk Shivakumar, and State Home Minister G Parameshwara received threats via email. However, Siddaramaiah has refuted these claims.
As the investigation intensifies, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information that may aid in apprehending the suspect and bringing justice to the victims of the Rameshwaram cafe blast.
Sources By Agencies