TN puts temples, daily under security cover

Following an intelligence input that warned of possible terror strikes at prominent places of worship across Tamil Nadu...

Following an intelligence input that warned of possible terror strikes at prominent places of worship across Tamil Nadu, the state police have beefed up security at many temples and the offices of a vernacular daily that recently felt the heat of communal fury after publishing cartoons of the Prophet.

Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai, Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Lord Murugan temple in Palani, and Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam in Tiruchy have been put under a tight security blanket after the warning that they could be possible targets.

Dinamalar, a vernacular daily that invited the ire of Muslims for publishing cartoons on Prophet Mohammed, also figured in the list of possible targets according to intelligence officials. They have advised the newspaper management to take precautionary steps. For additional safety in sensitive areas, armed personnel have been deployed at some branches of the daily.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media after a high-level coordination meeting on Thursday, DGP KP Jain downplayed the security efforts, maintaining that it was a general alert. Pointing out the busting of a module of suspected terrorists who were allegedly hatching a plan to bomb few targets in Chennai, Jain said the state police team was prepared to meet any eventuality.

Though there were no 8216;sleeper cells8217; of any proscribed organisations working in the state, the police were keeping tabs on fundamentalists who are associated with communal organisations, he said. Also, in view of the blasts in Delhi, public areas like markets, malls and other shopping areas would also be under close monitoring, added the officials.

Two days ago, the DGP had reviewed security arrangements at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, and suggested setting up closed circuit cameras. After the recent alert, the state officials have turned their attention to the security arrangements at major temples where anyone can walk in literally unchecked.