Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Security strengthened

Staff Reporter

ABUNDANT PRECAUTION: Vehicle check being carried out by police in the city on Tuesday night in view of the anniversary of the serial blasts that falls on February 14. - PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

Coimbatore: Security measures have been tightened on in and around the city in view of the ninth anniversary of the Coimbatore serial blasts on Wednesday.

The serial blasts of February 14, 1998 left over 50 people dead and over 250 injured when the Bharatiya Janata Party leader, L.K. Advani visited Coimbatore for electioneering.

The Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City, C.K. Gandhi Rajan, said that deployment of armed police personnel and vehicle checks began on Tuesday night and would remain in place until further orders.

Nearly 1,000 police personnel from the Armed Reserve Police and Tamil Nadu Special Police battalion were drafted for the security measures in addition to the strength available locally.

Armed police pickets have been posted in about 13 places identified as highly sensitive.

The city had been divided into four sectors with each area coming under the supervision and control of a Deputy Commissioner of Police. All the Assistant Commissioners of Police and Inspectors would be doing the patrolling.

The bus stands at Gandhipuram, Ukkadam and Singanallur have been brought under police vigil. Passengers have been asked to arrive at railway stations well in advance to go through screening measures.

Mr. Gandhi Rajan said that 22 vital installations in the city were brought under armed guards. In addition to checks in lodges, the police would conduct a vehicle check across the city at more than 16 places to monitor the movement of suspicious persons.

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