TN issues terror alert, bans public events
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu state government officials confirmed on Friday that the stringent security measures and ban on public events imposed in the state up to end of the month were prompted by alert on possible terror atacks.
The curbs on Saturday’s Independence Day celebrations and next weekend’s Ganesh Chathurthi festival were linked to the COVID-19 pandemic as they were announced on Thursday. But on Friday, officials reached at the Secretariat said intelligence agencies had warned of possible atacks by religious fundamentaliststargetingvipsandvitalinstallations.
The Independence Day is a likely choice for them. The Ganesh Chathurthi pulls large crowds into the streets as it is one of the biggest Hindu festivals. The officials said crowds need to be restricted not only because of the pandemic, but also due to the terror threat.
Police sources said intelligence officials have warned that terror oufits, particularly the Daesh and the Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), were reaching out to vulnerable youth through online propaganda and inciting them to launch lone-wolf atacks in their respective countries.
The terror groups are also known to be making efforts to recruit cadre in different states, including Tamil Nadu. Specific inputs say the Lashkar-e-taiba was planning “fidayeen” atacks on VIPS.
The Chennai Police Commissionerate said security was also tightened at all vantage points, including railway stations, bus depots, commercial establishments, amusement parks, Guindy Children’s Park, temples and places of worship with the deployment of additional forces.
In Chennai city, about 15,000 police personnel were deployed on security duty and to maintain strict vigil over the movement of anti-social elements.
Apart from the city police, 1,200 Central Security Force personnel and four companies of Rapid Action Force were also deployed as part of heightened security measures.
Lodges are checked for outsiders. Drone camers have been deployed to monitor the movement of suspects. A five-tier security arrangement has been put in place at the Chennai airport and the entry of visitors banned till Aug.30.
The government has advised students and elderly people not to atend the I-day celebrations.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday launched the Amma COVID-19 scheme to monitor those who are in home quarantine. People enrolling in the scheme for Rs2,500 will be provided with pulse oxymeter, 14 face masks, sanitiser, digital thermometer and immunity booster tablets.