The Hindu : Front Page : Security beefed up for Karunanidhi visit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 29, 2007
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Security beefed up for Karunanidhi visit

C. Jaishankar

Mandapam refugees’ camp has been brought under surveillance

4,000 police personnel mobilised
40 ‘vulnerable’ points identified

RAMANATHAPURAM: Security agencies have been put on alert and the Mandapam refugees’ camp has been brought under surveillance following the visit of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to Ramanathapuram district to participate in the Muthuramalinga Thevar centenary celebration at Pasumpon on Tuesday.

The refugees have been ‘advised’ not to move out of the camp till the Chief Minister’s function is over.

No threat perception

“Though there is no specific threat perception to the Chief Minister, we don’t want to take chances,” a police official said. Police personnel manning coastal police stations have been asked to monitor strangers in their areas.

Since a large number of people are expected to visit Pasumpon, more than 4,000 police personnel have been mobilised for ‘bandobust’ arrangements.

Several battalions of Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP), Armed Reserve (AR) and others from different districts have been drawn for the purpose.

Sanjeev Kumar, Inspector of Police, South Zone, reviewed security arrangements at a meeting held at Pasumpon on Sunday.

Following the untoward incidents during the previous Thevar guru pujas, several top police officials, who have served in the district, have been pressed into service on special duty.

They have been deployed at vantage points.

“We have identified 40 points as “vulnerable,” including Parthibanur, Kamudhi and Abiramam, in the district. Riot control vehicles and others have been mobilised in these places. Executive magistrates with special powers have been posted in these places to take ‘decision’ based on the situation,” said Collector R. Kirlosh Kumar.

Fire tenders, ambulances and other emergency services have been kept ready at vantage points, he added.

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