Kalaburagi: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge announced on Sunday that authorities have arrested one person in the city for allegedly maintaining connections with terrorist organizations through social media, while inquiries continue regarding a second individual. A joint operation involving central intelligence agencies and the state Internal Security Division brought two youths, both originally from outside Karnataka, under scrutiny after intelligence indicated they were cultivating ties with extremists online.
Addressing reporters, Kharge explained that subsequent investigations confirmed one of the suspects was in regular communication with a suspected terror network, whereas the second individual was cleared of such ties. The minister noted that this marks the fifth comparable incident uncovered over the past two to three months, noting that the persons involved originated from states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Stressing that the administration views these developments with utmost seriousness, he stated that officials are actively monitoring social media channels and migrant worker activities in coordination with the central government.
Regarding the influx of migrant laborers seeking employment in Karnataka, Kharge acknowledged that individuals possess the constitutional right to seek livelihoods across the country, meaning the government cannot outright restrict their entry. Nevertheless, he strongly urged local employers, including coffee plantation owners, construction contractors, factory operators, textile mills, and delivery enterprises, to conduct proper background checks on prospective hires. He noted that businesses frequently neglect these precautions due to the temporary nature of the employment.
To address these vulnerabilities, the minister announced plans to hold a meeting following the upcoming festival next week with quick-commerce providers, logistics firms, coffee growers, and homestay operators to establish standard operating procedures for worker verification. Authorities will also explore methods to accelerate the clearance process via local police stations, while reiterating appeals for thorough vetting.
Addressing inquiries about whether the state plans to establish a dedicated anti-sleeper-cell unit, Kharge maintained that existing forces such as the Anti-Terrorism Squad, the Garuda Force, and the Internal Security Division are fully equipped to handle such security operations without requiring a new specialized squad.
Responding to observations about federal agencies operating in Kalaburagi independently of local police awareness, the minister clarified that these missions are executed jointly. He pointed out that central authorities possess advanced technical resources, foreign agency connections, and access to international databases like Interpol that local police departments typically cannot access directly. Highlighting the cooperative nature of these efforts, Kharge emphasized that both national and state governments share the responsibility of addressing security threats through continuous information sharing.