PETN explosive found inside UP Assembly, Yogi Adityanath demands NIA investigation

CM Adityanath, while confirming that an explosive was found in the Assembly, pressed for more vigilance in Uttar Pradesh, more particularly in the Assembly and rued the absence of a Quick Response Team (QRT) for the state.

Days after a packet of suspicious white powder found in the State Assembly Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday sought for a National Investigative Agency (NIA) probe. While confirming that an explosive, by the name of Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), was indeed found in the Assembly, the Chief Minister pressed for more vigilance in Uttar Pradesh, more particularly in the Assembly and rued the absence of a Quick Response Team (QRT) for the state."

In a major security breach in Uttar Pradesh Assembly, an explosive was found by the security personnel with the help of dog squad on July 12 in the premises. 150 grams of white powder, wrapped in small plastic bag, was found in the State Assembly during an ongoing session.. Later, it was sent to forensic lab which confirmed the presence of PETN, which is a powerful explosive.

CM Adityanath, while confirming that an explosive, by the name of Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), was indeed found in the Assembly, pressed for more vigilance in Uttar Pradesh, more particularly in the Assembly and rued the absence of a Quick Response Team (QRT) for the state.

"The packet of the explosive was found under the chair of the Opposition's leader. It was 150 gm of PETN. 500 gm of PETN is enough to blow the whole Assembly off. This shows the severity of the situation. I suggest that everybody present in the Assembly should be investigated by the police and that the NIA should investigate into the matter," he said.

The packet of the explosive was found under the chair of the Opposition`s leader. It was 150 gm of PETN. 500 gm of PETN is enough to blow the whole Assembly off. This shows the severity of the situation. I suggest that everybody present in the Assembly should be investigated by the police and that the NIA should investigate into the matter," he said. 

"It's unfortunate that the largest Assembly of the country doesn't have a QRT," he added.  Adityanath also said that this incident could be in connivance with a terrorist or militant group and that the security of the state and the country is paramount.Aditynath also urged the officials to not compromise on the security of the state and the nation, more so considering the current situation of the country.

"It's unfortunate that the largest Assembly of the country doesn't have a QRT," he added.

Adityanath also said that this incident could be in connivance with a terrorist or militant group and that the security of the state and the country is paramount.

Supporting the Chief Minister`s assertions, Speaker Hriday Naryan Dixit said that the whole Assembly is like a family and that the security cannot be compromised. He also apprised the members about the new security arrangements in the Assembly."There will be a Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) team at every gate of the Assembly. There will also be a full body scanner at every gate. Moreover, a QRT will also be deployed," he said. 

Earlier yesterday, 60 grams of suspicious white powder was found in the UP Assembly during an ongoing session, which was later sent to forensic lab for testing.Adityanath had then called for a high-level meet over the same. 

Following this, the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were seen indulging in war of words over the security condition in the state, most particularly the Assembly."Security is a serious issue. Yesterday, even the Speaker expressed concern over the same. Whatever is to be done, will be done. Terrorists want to spread their nexus all across the nation, but they won`t get the access to Uttar Pradesh or its Assembly," UP minister Sidharth Nath Singh said. 

Aditynath also urged the officials to not compromise on the security of the state and the nation, more so considering the current situation of the country.

He also said that MLA's and lawmakers should either not be allowed to carry mobile phones in the Assembly premises or should  put their phone on silent as the noise breaks the gravity of discussions.

UP Assembly speaker Hridaya Narain Dixit has said provincial armed constabulary and Quick Response Teams will be deployed at Assembly premises.

"There will be a Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) team at every gate of the Assembly. There will also be a full body scanner at every gate. Moreover, a QRT will also be deployed," he said.

WHAT IS PETN

• PETN (Pentaerythritol Trinitrate ) is one of the most powerful explosives and is very difficult to detect. Due to its plastic nature, the explosive can easily pass metal detectors and security check points.
• PETN is non-metallic so it does not show up in x-ray machines. Also the bomb-sniffing dogs cannot detect it because of its low pressure molecules.
• The small quantities of this explosive can cause enormous damages. It is so deadly that even 100 grams of PETN is enough to blast a car.
• PETN is relatively stable and is detonated either by heat or a shockwave.
• Very hard-to-detect plastic-based explosive PETN was used in September 2011 Delhi High Court blast.
• PETN was also used in the bomb plot on a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in which a passenger tried to set off plastic explosives sewn to his underwear in 2009.
• It was also used by terrorist Richard Reid, commonly known as the 'shoe bomber', in a bid to blast off American Airlines Flight 63 on December 22, 2001.
• The same explosive was also found in two cargo planes from Yemen to the US in October 2010.

• Stating that Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) explosive was found, the Chief Minister said in the Assembly, "Action must be taken against those involved. NIA must investigate this issue."
• The Chief Minister also said that security guidelines must be issued and everyone must follow them. "Strong security system must be established as this could be a terror conspiracy," said Adityanath.
• About 60 grams of white powder was recovered by the security agency beneath the chair of Leader of Opposition in the UP Vidhan Sabha. The recovery was kept a closely-guarded secret and the powder was sent to the Forensic Lab for examination.
• Though senior police officials are tight-lipped over the major security breach incident, sources claim that the recovered powder was high-quality PETN explosive which could have wreaked havoc during the budget session of the UP Assembly.
• The lives of over 400 MLAs, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Speaker HN Dixit would have been in danger if the recovered powder had been attached with a detonator and remote-controlled device.

The state government has beefed up the security in the entire state specially in the western and poorvanchal region, in view of the Kanwar Yatra in progess.

Yogi has also assured protection to the devotees, who participate in thousands in the one-month religious event, Saavan.