Sleeper cells in Karimnagar keep cops on tenterhooks

Karimnagar: There have been several instances of sleeper cells belonging to the banned outfits surfaced in Karimnagar district.

A recent incident of a letter threatening to kill a local political leader is creating flutter among the police circles now. Surprisingly, the letter was sent to the police.

A bomb blast in Karimnagar bus stand and an encounter at Jagityal were some of the incidents related to terror. A bank robbery at Choppadandi also linked to the SIMI activists, who were killed recently in Bhopal encounter.

Weak counter-intelligence, lack of proper surveillance and shortage of staff are making the district a haven for the sleeper cells, a group of secret agents that have remained in dormant state waiting for an opportune time.

A BJP leader, who lost in Assembly elections, received threatening letters from unknown people. He complained to the police and even provided photographs of miscreants conducting recce in front of his house. The police identified the person who involved in recce and raided his shop near bus stand.

The shop was vacated in a single night leaving no clue for the police. But this time, the police are seriously looking into the matter. They are trying to decipher the contents of the letter. They released the letter without the letterhead and footer. This is again raising many eyebrows.

According to the letter, a former corporator is plotting against the BJP leader. But the name of the corporator is not matching with the local leaders.

Earlier, the police provided security to the BJP leader following several threats. This time, the police do not want to take any chance because of recent incidents of terror across the country.

While speaking to The Hans India on condition of anonymity, the BJP leader admitted that he had received life threats.

“I complained to the police. Surprisingly, police received a letter about my elimination. Nobody is sure about who is behind this. I don’t even recognise the names mentioned in the letter. The police alerted me in this regard,” he said.

The police have taken several suspects in Jagityal, which is also adding strength. When asked about the issue, Karimnagar Two Town circle inspector Hariprasad said there was nothing to worry about it. The letter cannot be taken seriously nor there is any threat to the BJP leader, he added. The CI said that the letter might be the act of miscreants.

But past incidents and Karimnagar connection with the banned outfits followed by the threatening letter is keeping police on tenterhooks.