Home ministry reviews pre-Diwali security

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Amid specific intelligence inputs about terrorist plan to kidnap kin of some top politicians and unleash 'fidayeen' attacks, the Union Home Ministry today reviewed the pre-Diwali and pre-Id security situation throughout the country besides the special arrangements made in market places which continue to witness huge rush for festivle shopping.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil today held extensive meeting with Home Secretary V K Duggal, who later had a long session with the Joint Secretaries of his ministry in the context of the input hinting at possible kidnapping or suicide attacks to bargain for the clemency of Mohammed Afzal Guru, facing execution in the 2001 Parliament attack case.

The hanging of Afzal, ordered by the trial court for today, has been put off in view of pendency of clemency petition filed by his wife before President A P J Abdul Kalam.

On Wednesday, Mr Patil had discussions with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Duggal, Special Protection Group (SPG) Director BV Wanchoo and chiefs of both the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the National Security Guard (NSG) reviewed the general security situation.

They also discussed the details of an upgraded security cover to be provided to some VVIPs, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi, especially in the context of their active campaigning during the forthcoming assembly elections in four states, including Uttar Pradesh.

Ministry sources said there were also inputs from intelligence agencies about possible fidayeen (suicide) attacks by Kashmir-based terrorist groups and strikes on vital installations.

Sources said the new threat perception was based on intelligence inputs and intercepts of both wireless and telephonic conversations of terrorists.

Nearly 2,000 additional security personnel have since been deployed to enhance the security ring for politicians and their family members.

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