Salman Rushdie could be targeted by SIMI
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday sounded an alert about a plan by a leader of the outlawed fundamentalist outfit Students Islamic Movement of India to target Salman Rushdie if the controversial author goes ahead with his plan to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival.
The alert, addressed to government of Rajasthan and authorities in Delhi -- Rushdie's likely disembarkation point in case he chooses to defy the threats -- also underlined the plan of Mumbai-based Raza Academy to humiliate the celebrated author. According to the home ministry, Saeed Noorie, general secretary of the Academy, has announced a "reward" of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who hurls a slipper at Rushdie.
Home ministry claimed that SIMI leader Saquib Nachan, who is one of the accused in the 2003 Mulund blast case in Mumbai, was "exploring the option of targeting Rushdie during his visit". Nachan, a familiar figure for counter-terror agencies, has been on bail since January 2011.
The alert, addressed to government of Rajasthan and authorities in Delhi -- Rushdie's likely disembarkation point in case he chooses to defy the threats -- also underlined the plan of Mumbai-based Raza Academy to humiliate the celebrated author. According to the home ministry, Saeed Noorie, general secretary of the Academy, has announced a "reward" of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who hurls a slipper at Rushdie.
Home ministry claimed that SIMI leader Saquib Nachan, who is one of the accused in the 2003 Mulund blast case in Mumbai, was "exploring the option of targeting Rushdie during his visit". Nachan, a familiar figure for counter-terror agencies, has been on bail since January 2011.
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