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Police to step up vigil in Karaikal

PUDUCHERRY: A few pockets in Karaikal have been brought under close police surveillance following reports of extremist organisations’ plan to establish their base in the region. “Taking into consideration the security scenario in the country and reports received, we have decided to strengthen the surveillance mechanism in Karaikal. However, there is no specific threat to any of the regions in the Union Territory,” Inspector-General of Police S. Vasudeva Rao told The Hindu. Mr. Rao said it had been decided to strengthen the intelligence gathering machinery in Karaikal and also provide additional security to pilgrim centres, especially the Thirunallar temple and other installations in the region.

The Karaikal police had been told to deploy more plainclothesmen to gather information about activities of a few extremist organisations, he said.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (Karaikal) had been told to convene a meeting of heads of religious organisations to apprise them of the security scenario and also seek their cooperation to rein in “disgruntled persons.”

Sources in the Karaikal police said that they had decided to intensify surveillance in vulnerable areas such as Ambagarathur, Vanjore and Neravy. “There is a possibility that extremist organisations can use the region for logistical support,” a senior official said.

As an immediate security measure, the private contractor managing the cycle stand near the bus stand had been told to frisk persons before allowing them to park their vehicles, a senior officer said.

Conceding that manpower shortage had come in the way of grassroots-level intelligence gathering, he said additional men would be roped in for duty from other units of the police. Mr. Rao said the department had decided to strengthen the Special Branch by posting more personnel after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs gave its approval to recruit more personnel.

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