Madikeri: Virajpet BJP MLA K.G. Bopaiah has urged the authorities not to let Kodagu become a terror hotspot.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, Bopaiah, who is also a former Assembly Speaker, said that a suspect who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi recently on charges of terror activities, has revealed that he underwent training in Western Ghats running through South India.

Noting that several years ago,  an arrested terrorist, identified as Madani, had revealed that he had planned to run terror camps in Somwarpet taluk, Bopaiah said that the arrest goes to prove that Kodagu was on the verge of becoming a hotspot for terror activities. Pointing out migrant workers from Assam were engaged as plantation workers  in Kodagu, he wanted coffee planters to submit all details of labourers from Assam whom they have employed, to their respective Police Stations.

Regretting that Kodagu, which is home to rich and lush green forest, is now turning out to be a hotspot for terror camps, Bopaiah wanted the authorities to check the true credentials of migrant labourers as there are reports that illegal Bangladeshi migrants are entering Kodagu in the guise of labourers from Assam. Asking the Police to keep vigil on the activities of migrant workers, he said that the Police must follow the directions of the NIA and keep a close watch on any nefarious activities.

Stressing on the need to act early in order to prevent a Kashmir-like situation in Kodagu, the MLA suspected that unscrupulous persons were entering Kodagu in the guise of tourists.

Underlining the need for enhancing security checks at border check-posts such as Makutta, Kutta, Karike and Kasaragod, he said that the authorities must tighten security all along the district borders for thwarting any infiltration attempts. Asking the authorities to nip terror activities in the bud, he warned that any laxity is going to prove costly for Kodagu in the future.