The Hindu : Front Page : Army vigil at Kalpakkam

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Sunday, Aug 13, 2006

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Army vigil at Kalpakkam

By V. Venkatasubramanian

Intelligence agencies warn of terrorist threat to IGCAR, BARC

— Photo : A. Muralitharan

TAKING PRECAUTIONS: Security personnel conducting a vehicle check near Kalpakkam atomic power plant on Saturday.

KANCHEEPURAM: Villages and fishermen hamlets within 15-km radius of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) have been brought under the surveillance of Defence and State police following a red alert by the Union Home Ministry.

The Navy has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing security to the atomic power plant. Two ships were positioned in the vicinity of the IGCAR. Enquiries reveal that Central intelligence agencies received information that international terrorist organisations planned to attack important institutions, such as the IGCAR and the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

On Thursday, senior officials of the Central Industrial Security Force rushed to Kalpakkam to review internal security measures.

On Friday, a company of National Security Group was deployed at the IGCAR along with CISF personnel. With intelligence reports coming from the U.S. and other countries on Friday on the possible terrorist attacks in India, the Centre has decided to bring strategic security units and its surrounding areas under the control of Armed Forces.

Army intelligence personnel in plain clothes and armed Tamil Nadu policemen drawn from six police districts were posted in the villages and fishermen hamlets.

Employees of the IGCAR who are moving in and out of the plant, are being have also been thoroughly screened in view of the intelligence report that terrorists might use liquid explosive substances to carry out their operation, sources said.

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