The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Alert sounded in State

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Sunday, Sep 14, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Alert sounded in State

Special Correspondent

Vehicle checks and night patrolling intensified

“Anti-sabotage checks will be conducted at vulnerable points”
Police told to keep watch on suspicious persons and objects

CHENNAI: An alert has been sounded across the State in the wake of the serial blasts in New Delhi on Saturday.

While intensifying vehicle checks and night patrolling, police in all districts were told to enhance vigil in areas of public gathering, including railway stations, bus stands, places of worship and commercial streets.

“Anti-sabotage checks will be conducted at vulnerable points. Public are being sensitised to inform the police about abandoned objects. Sleuths of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad have been asked to check vital installations. Surveillance will be stepped up in coastal districts,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), T. Rajendran, told The Hindu.

Besides lodges, houses and buildings located in remote areas were being checked at random. Instructions were given to keep track of detonators and other explosive substances purchased for stone quarry sites, Mr. Rajendran said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Railways) P. Sivanandi said police in all railway stations were alerted to adopt the ‘standard operating procedure’ that involves intensified frisking and access control. Entry points at the Central and Egmore railway stations were restricted to bare minimum and passengers were asked to pass through door-frame-metal-detector.

At wayside stations, police were told to keep watch on suspicious persons and objects. Track patrolling, frisking of parcels and surveillance at parking lot had commenced in coordination with the Railway Protection Force. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service. “We are checking empty rakes of trains at the yard before being rolled on to the platforms,” he said. In Chennai, Commissioner of Police R. Sekar, who held a meeting with senior police officials, said sensitive points were identified where more security would be deployed. Police officers would be involved in night patrolling and Striking Force teams were positioned strategically to counter emergency situations.

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