Date:15/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091559400700.htm

Tamil Nadu

Red alert sounded at all airports

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI: Hours after the serial blasts in New Delhi, a red alert was sounded at all airports in Tamil Nadu.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the ‘Airport Security Committee’ convened on Saturday night.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Central Industrial Security Force) K. Jayanth Murali said commandos attached to the Crime Investigation Wing were deployed at vantage points and patrolling had been intensified.

“Enhanced security arrangements are in place after the red alert was issued. As part of the access-control measures, there would be restrictions on the passes issued to visitors. We are also coordinating with the local police in checking vehicles entering the parking lot,” Dr. Jayanth Murali told The Hindu on Sunday.

Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) T. Rajendran said heightened security arrangements in the State would continue till further orders.

“We are focussing more in urban pockets, particularly in areas of public gathering such as hospitals and railway stations. Instructions have been given to install surveillance cameras at vulnerable places. However, there was no specific threat perception with regard to bomb blasts in the State,” he said.

Police sources said security at all major temples, including the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai was intensified. Anti-sabotage checks were being carried out with the assistance of Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad police and sniffer dogs.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police R. Sekar dismissed fears of Chennai being the next target of terrorists. “There is no such input from intelligence agencies. However, we are taking no chances. All precautionary measures have been taken,” he said.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) M. Sudhakar Internet browsing centre owners were told to ensure the identity of their customers. “We have asked them to alert the police in the event of any suspicious activity in the centres,” he added. Director-General of Police K.P. Jain and senior officials in the State intelligence had gone to New Delhi to attend a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs.