Red alert in Orissa after Hyderabad twin blasts

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): In the wake of Saturday's twin blasts in Hyderabad in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh that killed more than 40 people and injured 45, a red alert has been sounded in Orissa to avert any untoward incidents. "We have stepped up security measures across the State and activated arrangements near sensitive locations, including the Jagannath Temple at Puri," Director General of Police Amarananda Pattnayak said on Sunday. Security has also been tightened in and around major projects and defence installations, he said.

Official sources said security had been tightened around the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore and several irrigation dams, including Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district. Besides, security measures have also been tightened along borders with Andhra Pradesh and security personnel working under Southern and South-Western Police Ranges have been asked to remain alert as these two ranges share road links with Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the movement of suspicious persons in some slum areas in Bhubaneswar was detected by the police. "We suspect them to be members of Maoist outfits. The local people have been asked to inform the police as soon as they come across such persons," Intelligence sources told The Pioneer on Sunday. Bhubaneswar Range DIG YB Khurania said all vehicles entering Bhubaneswar and Puri were being checked. However, when asked about Maoist movement in the city, he declined to comment. The Railway Police have enlisted the help of the State Police to conduct checkings at Bhubaneswar and Puri railway stations, Khurania said. He, along with Khurda SP Amitabh Thakur, undertook searches around the city to take stock of the security situation. Additional security forces have been deployed at the city airport, railway station, Lingaraj Temple and Ram Mandir as well as at major junctions of the city. All hotels and lodges on the Grand Road at Puri are being checked, SP Asit Panigrahi informed from Puri. "Armed security personnel are deployed at four different points leading to the Jagannath Temple and vigil on rooftops has been activated," he said. Vigil is also being maintained at the Sun Temple at Konark, he added.