Security tightened up in Meghalaya

Shillong, Sep 28: Elaborate security arrangements have been made for BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani's visit to the state tomorrow in the wake of an e-mail threat to eliminate him.

Chief Minister Donkupar Roy has asked the state police to ensure foolproof security cover for the top most BJP leader.

A team of National Security Guard which landed in Shillong assessed the security scenario with the state police officials and other central agencies.

'' Security measures are being evaluated on an hour-to-hour basis.

We don't want to take any chances after an e-mail threat to kill Mr Advani,'' State Director General of Police, B K Dey Sawian told UNI here.

When approached, security agencies said, ''No inputs can be taken lightly especially after the national capital was again hit by a bomb blast.'' ''The route which Mr Advani will drive in and around the state has been sanitized and several areas have been sealed off for the general public,'' official sources said.

On Wednesday night, two local dailies received an e-mail from a 'Field Commander-North East of Indian Mujahideen Ali Hussian Badr' threatening to kill Mr Advani during his visit to Shillong.

However, the police arrested Mominul Haque, a third-year law student after he confessed to have posted the death threat in the name of Ali Hussian Badr.

Mr Advani will address his nationwide campaign 'Vijay Sankalp Yatra'. He is scheduled to meet religious leaders of various faiths, including Christians and Muslims.

''Mr Advani would clarify the BJP's stand on the recent attacks on places of worship and minority groups in Orissa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh,'' BJP's lone MLA and state Cabinet Minister, AL Hek said.

Mr Hek added that the BJP leader would also interact with Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma and other regional parties leaders.

With only one legislator in the 60-member House, the BJP is supporting the NCP-backed Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government.

Meanwhile, the state police have laid special stress on anti-sabotage and anti-explosive checks, tight access control and vigil in and around the city.

UNI