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Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: City police have issued a high alert in the state capital following serial bomb blasts in Hyderabad on Thursday evening.
Security has been beefed up at important places such as the airport and railway station besides crowded places.
Biju Patnaik Airport authorities said that following the explosions in Hyderabad that claimed 16 lives and injured over 80 people, they have asked their security men to keep vigil and be more alert. “We have instructed all our units to be prepared for any untoward incident. Blocking and checking are being done in and around the airport including all entry and exit points into the aerodrome,” said director of the airport Sarad Kumar.
At the Bhubaneswar railway station, checking of passengers and their luggage has been started. The luggage scanner that had been lying unused for several months was used this morning and passengers were told to cooperate with the authorities. Railway Protection Force officials and Government Railway Police conducted joint checking at all the entry and exit points at the railway station.
“We are checking the luggage of passengers and metal detectors have been installed at entry points. We are also checking the trains before they leave the station. Our men in civil dress are also keeping vigil on all the passengers. People have been told to inform police immediately if they spot suspicious objects,” said a senior police officer
In the city, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police asserted that there was no threat to Bhubaneswar. However, as a precautionary measure, it has issued a high alert and increased blocking and checking at several entry and exit points in the city. Forces have been deployed at crowded places such as Unit-I Market, Market Building, Baramunda bus stand and at Khandagiri foothills, where maghamela is on. Shopping mall and cinema owners have been asked to keep a watch on their establishments.
“We have beefed up security in the city. In addition to regular blocking and checking, we have posted our men in civil clothes at crowded places. There is nothing to worry about,” said deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Nitinjeet Singh.
As the Assembly session is on and several groups have camped on MG Road to stage protests, police officials said it was difficult for them to deploy their men at every crowded place in the city. On Thursday, a group of bandh supporters tried to enter the Assembly during the 48-hour bandh. They had come close to the main gate after breaking two security barricades. This has scared the police. They are not ready to remove security personnel from near the Assembly.
A team of National Security Guard (NSG) visited the state capital two days ago and checked security arrangements in and around important establishments. The DCP said it was a regular visit.
A high alert has been issued across the state. Puri police have beefed up security in the city as many tourists come to this beach city every day. The cops are keeping vigil on devotees coming to Jagannath temple and tourists coming into the city.
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