PURI: Security around the 12th century Jagannath temple here was doubled on Thursday in wake of the terror threat.
While devotees were being frisked at the four entry gates to the temple, security forces have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the town. Armed police have also been patrolling the railway station and bus stand.
While devotees were being frisked at the four entry gates to the temple, security forces have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the town. Armed police have also been patrolling the railway station and bus stand.
Similarly, patrolling has been intensified on the beach. Personnel at the marine police stations in Penthakata, Astarang, Arkuda and Chandrabhaga have been put on high alert and additional forces deployed to undertake regular patrolling.
This is not for the first time that there have been Intelligence inputs on possible terror attack on the temple. Following terrorist strikes at IISc, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, a three-member team of National Security Guards headed by Commander Major LK Nishad in 2006 evaluated the existing security arrangements in the temple and described it as a soft target for terror strikes. The team had submitted a number of suggestions to prevent possible strike including an emergency contingency plan.
Commander Nishad had reportedly suggested to remove all structures from the periphery of the temple as they pose grave threat. But the State Government and Puri administration did precious little to implement the suggestion.
Even as the State Government had announced several measures to beef up security arrangements, those have been put in cold storage. Every time there is a report of possible terror attack in the country, Puri Police doubles up security provision in the shrine for a day or two. As on today, the metal detectors and CCTV cameras installed in the temple do not work round-the-clock while watch towers erected nearby remain unmanned.
Puri SP Ashish Kumar Singh said, “We have increased security of the temple. All persons entering the shrine are being checked at the main gate.” Top police officials are expected to arrive at Puri on Friday to review the security measures.
This is not for the first time that there have been Intelligence inputs on possible terror attack on the temple. Following terrorist strikes at IISc, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, a three-member team of National Security Guards headed by Commander Major LK Nishad in 2006 evaluated the existing security arrangements in the temple and described it as a soft target for terror strikes. The team had submitted a number of suggestions to prevent possible strike including an emergency contingency plan.
Commander Nishad had reportedly suggested to remove all structures from the periphery of the temple as they pose grave threat. But the State Government and Puri administration did precious little to implement the suggestion.
Even as the State Government had announced several measures to beef up security arrangements, those have been put in cold storage. Every time there is a report of possible terror attack in the country, Puri Police doubles up security provision in the shrine for a day or two. As on today, the metal detectors and CCTV cameras installed in the temple do not work round-the-clock while watch towers erected nearby remain unmanned.
Puri SP Ashish Kumar Singh said, “We have increased security of the temple. All persons entering the shrine are being checked at the main gate.” Top police officials are expected to arrive at Puri on Friday to review the security measures.
