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Security alert in southern districts

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI DEC. 2. A security alert has been sounded in southern districts in view of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. Armed police personnel have been deployed at vital installations and sensitive pockets, including railway bridges, places of worship and bus stands.

An elaborate bandobust scheme has been drawn up in nine districts and two Commissionerates of the South Zone. ``Additional forces will be posted at public gatherings, particularly railway stations. Besides intensifying patrolling and vehicle checks, we have stepped up vigil on lodges, commercial streets and movie halls,'' the Inspector-General (South Zone), T.K. Rajendran, said today.

While the local police have installed metal detectors and hi-tech watch cameras, sleuths of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad are conducting anti-sabotage checks in and around temples, including the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple here.

Considering recent attempts to derail express trains in Madurai and Virudhunagar districts, joint track patrolling in association with the Railway Protection Force has been launched in the Madurai division of the Southern Railway. Gun-totting policemen are guarding the Pamban and Vaigai bridges round-the-clock, railway sources said.

Meanwhile, the police are checking baggage of passengers at the railway station here. Sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to check empty rakes, retiring rooms and waiting halls. ``We are also making announcements requesting passengers to avoid last-minute rush to board trains,'' a railway official said.

``These are routine measures and there is no specific threat perception from intelligence agencies. However, the police are geared to meet any eventuality and has not left no stone unturned on the security front,'' a top police official said. Preventive arrests would be need-based.

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