BELLARY: The Bellary district police will step up surveillance in and around Hampi in the wake of the arrest of terrorist suspect Imran Jalal, a Kashmiri youth who was residing there.

Amrit Paul, Superintendent of Police, told The Hindu the district police would also establish regular contacts with their counterparts in Kashmir to cross-verify the antecedents of Kashmiris residing in Hampi and Hospet.

Officers would be sent on periodical visits to Kashmir in this connection, he said.

"Stepping up of vigil and keeping a watch on Kashmiris and others in Hampi will begin immediately. Officers will also make regular visits to Kashmir in this connection. A couple of officers will soon leave for Kashmir," he said.

Original address

A register had been opened in which details of Kashmiris such as their original address and their present place of stay in Hampi would be recorded, along with their photograph, Mr. Paul said.

The Bellary Police had cross-verified the addresses provided with the help of the Kashmir Police, he said.

Mr. Paul said that a strategy was being worked out to ensure that the international tourist destination of Hampi was free from crime.

Senior police officers would visit the place regularly and interact with their counter parts in Koppal district, he said.

Drug peddling

With regard to the complaints of drug peddling in and around Hampi, Mr. Paul said that foreigners had been found indulging in it and three cases had been booked. No local residents had been involved, he added.

Regarding the proposal to establish a police station at Hampi, where an outpost was functioning now, Mr. Paul said the matter was before the Government and a decision was likely to be taken soon.

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