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Indore, Bhopal prime terror targets, says police chief

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh has been put on high alert and the security has been beefed up particularly in cities like Indore, Ujjain and the State capital following a series of bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chauhan has condemned the terrorist violence and asked people to remain vigilant. He reviewed the security situation in the wake of the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad that have claimed many lives.

The State Director General of Police, S.K. Raut told The Hindu that Madhya Pradesh could be on the target of the Indian Mujahideen, which has taken responsibility for the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. He said that two cities—Indore and Bhopal—besides other important places could be on the terrorists’ target.

While pointing out that the security has been beefed up, the State Police chief said that they were also trying to increase public awareness about bombs and their disposal and were seeking help of the media—both print and electronic—for this purpose.

Mr. Raut said that the bomb disposal squads, dog squads and other related equipment like metal detectors have been kept in a state of round-the-clock preparedness and vigil has been intensified at crowded places like railway stations, bus-stands and shopping areas. He said that more police force has been sent to places like Indore and Ujjain for better surveillance.

The beat constables have been briefed about their additional security responsibilities. Similarly the Police IGs, DIGs and SPs have also been told to remain on constant vigil, the State DGP said.

Indore is being treated as highly sensitive by the State authorities due to recent communal clashes and also as many top SIMI activists, including its all-India chief Safdar Nagori, were arrested from Indore earlier this year. Ujjain—one of the Jyotirlingas and the city of the Mahakal temple—is also being treated as very sensitive. The security in this city has been tightened for the month of “Sawan”. They would be keeping a close watch especially in view of the huge congregation of devotees at Ujjain for the “Mahakal Savari” on Monday, which is the day of Lord Shiva.

According to available information from Indore, the night shows at film theatres have been cancelled and shopping malls have been asked to close down at 9 p.m. The Bhopal range Inspector General of Police, Shailendra Shrivastava said that the Police force has been engaged in mock drills to face any eventuality in the State capital. The Sunday late night show at cinema halls has also been cancelled here, he added.

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