Tamil newspaper Dinamalar received a threat letter by unidentified elements claiming to belong to an outfit called “The Base Moment”.
Chennai: Dinamalar, a Tamil newspaper, has received a letter threatening an attack similar to the one on the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police said.
“We have received the letter from the newspaper and a probe is on,” a senior police official said.
The letter, typed in English, says “Yesterday-Paris Charlie Hebdo, Tomorrow – Dinamalar.” The words appear against the background of India’s map.
The letter was sent by post by unidentified elements claiming to belong to an outfit called “The Base Moment,” and said to be based at “3/10, Ukkadam, Kovai, Tamil Nadu, India.”
Below the map is a picture of Osama Bin Laden and the words “By Al Qaeda,” and some Arabic words appearing like a signature, the police official said.
“It can be a fictitious outfit or someone may be trying to play mischief or it may have some other motive…we do not know…only after the probe’s completion we will be able to comment,” the official said, declining to elaborate.
The sender’s address was listed as Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Investigations in the case are underway. They are also investigating if the postal address given in the letter is authentic.
It is also being investigated whether the letter is authentic or is a hoax.
The police is considering if the newspaper published any cartoons that could have led to this threat. Earlier in 2008, the newspaper published Prophet Mohammad’s cartoon which led to minor protests against the publishers. However, post the incident, they have not published any controversial cartoons.
Security personnel have been deployed at the office of the newspaper.
(Agencies)
