NIA begins probe in UP Assembly explosive case; 94 out of 100 CCTV cameras dysfunctional, reveals investigation

Lucknow: The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday began a probe into the discovery of high-grade PETN explosive inside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, an official said. Officials informed that the NIA team arrived here late on Friday and was immediately briefed about the case. The NIA officials, other than visiting the spot where the Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate explosive was discovered on Thursday evening, were also likely to grill the security staff and agencies of the state police responsible for security of the Vidhan Sabha. The state security personnel would be quizzed on as to why no action was taken to spruce up security despite a tip-off from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in May about a possible terror plot to attack the state assembly when in session. The NIA team would also question the House marshals and other security staff along with janitors and others who has access to the exclusive area, near the seat of Leader of Opposition. A senior security official informed that many a times the lawmakers refuse to cooperate with the security and throw a tantrum on being frisked. Powerful explosive inside Uttar Pradesh Assembly: 10 Points

• The explosive was found by the cleaning staff on July 12. The dog squad also failed to detect it.
• After the powder was sent for FSL examination, it was found to be a dangerous plastic explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate).
• The quantity of the explosive was 150 grams. According to experts 500 gm of this explosive is enough to blow up the House.
• The explosive was found under the bench, third from where the Leader of Opposition sits.
• "The security of the House is our concern. This is part of a dangerous terrorist conspiracy and should be exposed. The state government wants to get an NIA probe done in the matter and police verification of employees and officials working in Vidhan Bhawan," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told the House and urged the Speaker to take a decision.
• The chief minister also said, "As no one is allowed inside the House except legislators and marshals, the matter becomes serious. The matter is related with sentiments of 22 crore people of the state. As we have no objections in checking at airports, we (legislators) should also support this here. I also ask them not to bring mobile phones and keep their bags outside the House and a system should be evolved for this."
• The driver of legislators will be verified and those having no pass will not be allowed entry inside assembly premises, the speaker said.
• Passes issued to former MLAs and others will also be cancelled and police verification of assembly staff will be done, he said.
• The House passed a resolution recommending an NIA probe into it. Lucknow police has filed sedition case against unknown people.
• The two theories derived by the experts presence of explosive material inside Assembly are: Either any legislature has placed it in Assembly to ask for security or any sleeper cell has put it as a part of a conspiracy.