Rameshwaram Cafe reopens a week after IED blast; NIA seeks cooperation from public

According to the administration, metal detectors have been installed at the entrance of the eatery to screen customers. Staff will screen every customer with handheld detectors before allowing entry. There would be strict vigilance on all customers and staff will look out for any suspicious activity.

Also Read: NIA, CCB detain cloth merchant from Ballari

‘A lesson for us to be strong’

Raghavendra Rao, co-founder and CEO of The Rameshwaram Café told PTI, “Whatever happened…it should have not happened…This is a lesson for us to be strong. In fact, no matter what, no one can stop us.

“They wanted to teach us a lesson but we will teach them a lesson. With blessings of Lord Shiva, we have reopened our cafe on the occasion of Mahashivaratri. We will be reopening the outlet for customers tomorrow with the national anthem.”

Pujas were held this morning at the eatery, which was adorned with flowers and festive decorations to mark the reopening. Police oversaw security arrangements throughout the day.

Also Read: Suspect changed clothes, travelled by bus

The investigation

In the blast that occurred on 1 March, both staff and customers at the cafe sustained injuries but they are all recovering.

Following the incident, the cafe was cordoned off as part of an investigation by the city police.

Meanwhile, a cloth merchant from Kaul Bazaar in Ballari and a PFI cadre have been detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Crime Branch in their joint investigation of the 1 March blast.

The investigating authorities suspect that the detainee, who was allegedly an active member of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), took part in the plot, sources said.

On Friday, the NIA released footage of the suspect who planted the bomb and sought cooperation from the public to identify the accused. The central investigation agency had also promised ₹10 lakh for providing information regarding the suspect.

NIA seeks citizen cooperation in identifying the suspect linked to the #RameswaramCafeBlastCase.
📞 Call 08029510900, 8904241100 or email to info.blr.nia@gov.in with any information.
Your identity will remain confidential. #BengaluruCafeBlast pic.twitter.com/l0KUPnoBZD

— NIA India (@NIA_India) March 8, 2024

(With PTI inputs)