Unprecedented security in blast hit Varanasi

Varanasi, Aug 14 (UNI) Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in this holy city on the eve of Independence Day, especially in the wake of an international alert about prospective terror strikes in the country.

Spanning from March seven blast-hit Varanasi Railway Station and Sankatmochan temple, security has been stepped up across the city, including relgious places, Varanasi Airport, crowded markets and other public places.

District Magistrate Rajiv Agrawal said here today, ''we are not taking any chances and security has been stepped up in all sensitive places, particularly the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex and other important temples, besides the Ganga ghats -- favoured haunt of tourists presently inundating the city.'' ''Security has been beefed to make the tourist feel that Varanasi is the safest place for them,'' he added.

Local Intelligence sources confided that surprise checks were being conducted at hotels and guest houses, especially those situated in sensitive localities.

Round the clock vehicular checks were also under way across the city that was rocked by twin blasts on March seven last, which claimed 18 lives, besides wounding over 100 others.

Meanwhile, Government Railway Police (GRP) sources said that maximum security had been drafted at the Varanasi railway station, with enhanced search on trains leaving and coming from Mumbai and Delhi. Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog teams have also been pressed into service.

Special security measures have also been made at the Varanasi Airport.

''Only baby foods and milk will be allowed on flights and that too after proper checks. Even water bottles will have to go through special colour display X-Ray machines to ensure that no liquid or gel based explosive sneaks into any of the flights leaving Varanasi Airport,'' CISF Commandant Rohitash Kumar said.

Further, on efforts of checking entry of liquid based explosive on flights, Mr Kumar said that checking of vehicles coming to the Airport has been upgraded through draft of trolley mirrors, to detect any explosives stashed in the vehicles.

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