Security strengthened in Jagannath temple in Puri

Puri, Mar 8(UNI) The security of the famous 12th century Jagannath temple has been beefed up in the wake of yesterday's twin blasts in the holy town of Varanasi.

Armed police teams were posted at all the four temple gates while plain clothes policemen were deployed inside the temple. All the visitors to the temple were frisked at the entry gates and armed security personnel were deployed on the roof tops.

This apart, mobile police patrol units were doing the rounds. A quick response squad and a bomb detecting unit was placed on high alert near the temple.

Puri Superintendent of Police Sanjeeb Panda held a series of meeting to strengthen the security and to plug loop holes, if any.

All the hotels and accommodation facilities were being searched and the vehicles entering into the city were being listed in police records.

Sources said a team comprising senior police officers was formed to meet any contingency arising out of a possible terrorist attack.

Similar steps were being taken to protect the Konark and the Sakhigopal temple, the SP said.

The increase in the number of new high rise buildings around the temple within the notified no construction zone of the ASI had made the temple more vulnerable to attack from outside.

As most of the temple interior comes to the public view from these buildings the pilgrims and visitors were well within the target of the terrorist guns while inside the temple complex said Mr Ratnakar Rath a retired police officer.

Earlier, after the massacre in the Akshardham temple in Gujarat the commander of National Security Guards had visited the temple and had recommended eviction of all encroachments from around the temple and installation of close circuit TV cameras besides metal detectors at strategic points.

The temple administration had taken initiative to install security cameras since long but the bureaucratic wrangles and the non- cooperation of a section of temple servitors had stalled the move.

UNI XC DP KK/src1952