BIJAPUR: In an effort to prevent terrorists from gaining a foothold in the district, the administration has banned the selling or renting out of houses and vehicles to anyone without first ascertaining his or her background.

According to the new order, it is mandatory for people to inform the nearest police or revenue authorities, including village accountants and gram panchayat secretaries, before striking such deals, failing which they will be severely dealt with.

Based on the recommendation of Superintendent of Police (SP) Seemant Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin, who is also District Magistrate, has imposed this restriction on the district till the end of January next. It may be extended beyond January based on the perceived threat at that time.

The order has empowered the police to initiate action against those who violate it. Copies of the order dated November 30 have been dispatched to all police officers in the district and to all the village-, taluk- and district-level revenue officers.

The order was issued almost six weeks after the police had first requested it. The order is considered to be the first of its kind in the State. However, the authorities have refused to attach much importance to it.

They said it was not based on any perceived threat but was just a precautionary measure taken especially after the recent terrorist case in Mysore.

In his recommendation letter dated October 23, Mr. Seemant Singh had said, "Terrorists from outside cannot carry out disruptive activities without the cooperation of the locals. It is the duty of the citizens to inform the authorities whenever they rent out or sell their houses or vehicles to strangers.

This will help police deal with terrorist activities. Hence, a necessary order should be issued."

Mr. Singh had also enclosed copies of five letters sent to him in August and September by higher officials, including the Director General of Police, the Inspector General of Police and the Central Home Secretary, sounding alerts on possible threats from terrorists. He had also drawn the attention of the Deputy Commissioner to a conspiracy to blow up the Alamatti Dam, to the Mumbai serial blasts and the attacks at the IISc in Bangalore and the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.

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