india

Updated: Jan 26, 2016 10:17 IST

A Gandhi statue in the Dudu area of Jaipur was defaced on Monday, with a message on the statue threatening a blast on Republic Day.

The message scribbled on the statue also claimed support for terror group Islamic State (IS).

“The act seems to be by some miscreants but we are taking it seriously and have informed the security agencies. A probe into the incident has begun and we are investigating the objective behind it – whether it was done to create communal tension or was an act by an IS sympathiser,” Inspector General (Jaipur rural range) DC Jain told HT.

The police have registered a case under Indian Penal Code Sections 124(a) and 153(a) at the Dudu police station. “Prima facie, it seems that the act is by somebody residing in the locality. We have sent our team to investigate,” Superintendent of Police (Jaipur rural) Rameshwar Singh said.

Earlier this week, the national investigation agency arrested Abu Anas, who hails from Tonk, on suspicion of being an IS sympathiser. His arrest followed the capture of Mohammed Sirajuddin, posted as the marketing manager of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Jaipur, on charges of links with IS.