Bhubaneswar, June 27: Security was beefed up throughout Odisha today following an intelligence alert about the likelihood of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists targeting the holy town of Puri and a major defence installation in Balasore district.
The threat perception is particularly high in Puri, where preparations are on for the return journey (bahuda yatra) of the deities to the 12th century Jagannath temple on Friday. Nearly five lakh people are expected to congregate in Puri to take part in the festival.
However, chief minister Naveen Patnaik sought to reassure people of the state saying that the state police were fully geared up to tackle any situation. Director-general of police Manmohan Prahraj said all possible precautions were being taken and there was no cause for panic.
The state government switched into maximum alert mode in the wake of a warning from Assam director-general of police Jayant Narayan Choudhury that Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives could target places such as Puri.
Senior police officials said that while visitors to Puri were being frisked at entry points including the railway station, Coast Guard ships were patrolling the sea, keeping a close watch out for troublemakers. Sources said choppers had been kept handy to respond to any emergency.
Keen to ensure foolproof security in the town, which draws nearly 10 lakh people during the nine-day rath yatra festival, officials have also sought the help of nolias or members of the local fishing community. They have been asked to comb the beach regularly looking for suspicious people or objects. Local residents as well as tourists and pilgrims have also been asked to immediately report to the police any suspicious looking person they come across. They have also been warned against handling unknown objects.
Sources said nearly 13 platoons of police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were still deployed in Puri, which is considered particularly vulnerable to such threats at this time of the year when the town is a bursting at the seams with visitors. The fact that it is located by the sea makes the job of ensuring foolproof security all the more difficult.
Security has also been tightened in and around the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, a major missile testing facility located a few kilometres from Balasore town. The two police stations in Chandipur, including the marine police station, have been put on high alert. The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) has been camping in the town since yesterday evening.
“Following intelligence input we have intensified patrolling on our boundaries. At the same time we are ensuring strict checking at our entry and exit gates,” said G. Prasad, the interim test range security officer. SDPO Sadar Kailash Chandra Parida said patrolling in Chandipur had been intensified and all hotels and lodges in the town were being checked thoroughly.
