Babri Masjid Demolition Day: Security beefed up

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, DEC. 4. Security has been beefed up in the city in view of the Babri Masjid demolition day on December 6, the City Police Commissioner, Mr. P. Kalimuthu, said here today.

All lodges were being checked thoroughly and vehicular checks would be conducted through the 16 check posts functioning in the city, he said.

About 10,000 police personnel including men from Tamil Nadu Special Police and Commando Force would be roped in for protection work in the city, he said.

A few Islamic organisations had requested permission for organising demonstrations and fast and the police had accorded permission. However police would not allow sticking of posters in support or against the demolition, he warned.

A few Opposition parties had criticised the police for biased action with regard to the use of cone speakers. Mr. Kalimuthu refuted this charge and added that the permission was considered for all political parties as per the direction given by the Supreme Court.

Assailants held

Police arrested three persons who allegedly murdered an astrologer at Alangatha Street, Ice House on Sunday and the stolen property was recovered intact, the Commissioner said.

Police said interrogation of the arrested revealed that they were regularly extorting money from the astrologer for a long time. When the gang members demanded money yesterday, the astrologer refused to yellowed. He was taken to a nearby bathroom and one of the gang members attacked him with a steel rod and following the advice of another gang member, the victim was drowned by the gang members in a water tub.

The gang removed the gold rings, a wrist watch and cash from the victim and escaped. Mr. Kalimuthu distributed cash reward of Rs. 20,000 to the special party members who detected the case, commending them for the ``achievement within nine hours without even a clue available''.

In another case, the police recovered gold chain weighing three sovereigns, gold ring weighing 10 gm, a pager, Rs. 1,500 and a wrist watch following the arrest of four persons, said a police press release.

The articles, cash and the watch were stolen from three persons while they were on the Marina Beach a few months ago. Those arrested were remanded to judicial custody, the release added.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Completion of bus terminus likely to be delayed
Next     : More police to check passengers at Central station