Security tightened in West Bengal

Kolkata, July 14 (UNI) West Bengal Government beefed up security throughout the state and its border with Bangladesh as police continued crackdown on the suspected offices of the banned SIMI, following Mumbai blasts.

Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray said the state Government had talked to the Centre over the activities of SIMI and was taking up necessary measures against any terrorist activities.

''The alert sounded in the state is still on and all vital installations, including railway stations, airport, ports, power plants and bridges besides busy public places. Police continued raids in different areas of the districts, '' he said.

Mr Ray said police were trying to ascertain whether SIMI, an outfit banned five years ago, had been operating in the state under different names.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said random checking was being carried out by police on railway stations, bus stands and metro stations to preempt any terrorist activity. Bomb squads and sniffer dogs had also been pressed into service in many places, he said.

Police had also been asked to keep watch on hotels, guest houses and travel agencies dealing with Bangladeshi nationals as preventive measure against any suspicious activity. The intelligence department was also keeping tab on parking lots of shopping malls and other public places.

Meanwhile, the state government had also asked Border Security Force (BSF) to mount vigil along India-Bangladesh border against any suspicious movement. This followed a meeting between the Chief Minister and Border Security Force Director General Asish Mitra on Wednesday.

According to informed sources, it was being suspected by police and BSF that those involved in the blasts on Tuesday had entered West Bengal from the Bangladesh border and made their way to Mumbai.

It was possible that they might have taken the same route while returning after their operation, they said.

The Home Secretary did not deny the possibility of extremists having a West Bengal link, saying, ''I am not denying the reports nor am I corroborating it.'' UNI KDG SJC AB KD BD0005