Bhatkal town mum about son-of-soil

KARWAR: There was an eerie silence at Bhatkal, a tiny port, 120km from Karwar, the hometown of Indian Mujahideen cofounder Yasin Bhatkal. Nobody was ready to talk about their son-of-soil after Hyderabad court convicted him for triggering blasts on Tuesday. His family members and relatives refused to speak to the media, saying Yasin's parents were out of town. Media persons were also denied entry at

Mugdum Colony

, where he has a house. Yasin did his schooling in Bhatkal and then left for Mumbai to set up a nationwide terror network.

Tanzeem, the highest Muslim body in Bhatkal, has dissociated itself from Yasin. There was a self-imposed gag order in the town. While relatives and family members fear police action, others are afraid of reprisals from Yasin supporters. “Till now, we said those arrested were innocent. But the conviction proves, the town has a terror link. This may affect the town's business and reputation,“ said a businessman.

In 2010, Yasin's younger brother was arrested from

Mangaluru

airport for alleged involvement in the German Bak ery blast in Pune. But he was let off for want of evidence. At one point, Yasin's parents tried to mislead police by saying their son's name was Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa, not Yasin. They had alleged photos released by police before his arrest were fake. Later, investigations revealed Yasin and

Mohammed Ahmed Siddibapa

were one and the same.

Police said Yasin was not involved in any terror cases in

Uttara Kannada

district, including his home town, Bhatkal. But there is a possibility of IM sleeper cells in the district pumping funds and logistical support to the oufit.

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