NIA arrests two accuses in Rameshwaram Cafe blast from Kolkata

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested two persons, including the mastermind of the conspiracy, in connection with the Rameswaram cafe blast case. According to the NIA, Musavir Hussain Shajib and Adbul Matheen Ahmed Taha were arrested from near Kolkata. Both were hiding here. An NIA team reached the spot and arrested him. Shajib is the person who placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the cafe, officials associated with the case said. Besides, Taha was the mastermind behind the planning and execution of the blast.

On the morning of April 12, absconding accused Abdul Matin Taha and Musavir Hossain Shajeb were spotted near Kolkata, an official said. Here they were hiding under false identities. Apart from the central intelligence agencies, the NIA got the full support of the West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala police. Better coordination between the state police agencies led to the arrest of the accused.

The NIA had last month announced a reward of Rs 10-10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of the two accused. Earlier on March 1, an IED blast took place at a cafe located on ITPL Road in Brookefields, Bengaluru. The NIA took over the probe on March 3.

West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose said, “The hands of law are long. No one can escape that. The culprits have been arrested. This is something that should be heartening for those who believe in democracy. India is a great country and Bengal is a part of it. If a criminal tries to hide anywhere in India, he will be arrested, that is the lesson.