Date:17/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/17/stories/2002121705220100.htm

Front Page

'Al-Qaeda threat' to Nagpur Council Hall

By Mahesh Vijapurkar

MUMBAI DEC. 16. Security has been stepped up to an unprecedented level in and around the Legislative Council Hall in Nagpur following information conveyed by the United States that the Al-Qaeda has threatened to blow it up.

This information was conveyed to the Maharashtra Government through the United States-Consulate in Mumbai a couple of days ago following which Subhas Malhotra, Director-General of Police, himself took personal charge of protecting the premises.

Currently, the winter session of the two Houses of the Legislature is under way here since December 11 and even before this tip-off, security was beefed up, with newer barriers and stringent checks. The threat was said to have been conveyed through an e-mail to the United States' authorities and the origin of that communication is sought to be determined but though described as "anonymous,'' it has been taken seriously in the context of the December 13, 2001 attack on the Parliament House.

Now, each and every vehicle, including those of MLAs, MLCs, Ministers are being checked thoroughly, apparently with the sanction of the presiding officers. About 5,000 more security personnel have been rushed to Nagpur. The huge number of protest marches to the Council Hall, a routine practice, and the new threat has added to the stress of the security personnel.