Security for Ras festival in Coochbehar

Siliguri, Nov 5 (UNI) Security arrangement beefed in neighbouring Coochbehar district, bordering Bangladesh, to ensure peaceful ''Ras Mela'' festival, that began today.

The festival attracts huge crowd from far flung districts of north Bengal and from neighbouring Asom state and Bangladesh.

Policing in and around Coochbehar hightened this time following reports that underground outfits might creat chaos to foment communal tension.

Dog squad and Bomb squad had been posted to the festival ground at Madan Mohan temple in Coochbehar.

District police Superintendent Anil Kumar told UNI '' We have installed 7 close-circuit cameras to keep track of the visitors and metal detectors used at randum to frisk the devotees''.

UNI XC PC AB VD RN1823