Naxals threaten to bomb courts in Shimoga in Karnataka

The courts in Shimoga and Sagar in Karnataka were provided with special security cover on Thursday in the wake of a threat from naxal outfits that the buildings will be bombed.

A large number of armed personnel were posted around the courts in Shimoga and nearby Sagar while the entry of advocates and clients into the premises was screened through a metal detector.

Security had been beefed up at the courts after a letter, purportedly written by a naxal outfit, threatened to blow up the buildings if proceedings were held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the two courts.

The letter claimed that members of the naxal outfit were taken on false cases to the two courts and were unnecessarily harassed. “It warned that no cases should be heard in any court in Shimoga and Sagar on June 8, 9 and 10. Or else, the buildings will be exploded”, a police official said quoting the letter written in the name of one Pavagada Gangareddy and posted in Thirthahalli in Shimoga district.

Soon after the courts received the threatening letters, the Presiding officers brought it to the notice of Superintendent of Shimoga district Arun Chakravarthi. The police, however, have chosen against taking the threat lightly and beefed security around the courts.

Meanwhile, the police said there were no police cases against members of naxal outfits, which were being heard in the courts of Shimoga and Sagar.