Police on high alert in K'taka following Hyd blast

Bangalore, May 18: High alert has been sounded across Karnataka in wake of the bomb blast in the historic Mecca Masque in Hyderabad killing five people.

State Director General of Police K Srinivasan told UNI that patrolling had been intensified in sensitive areas, including religious places and the forces have been put on high alert.

''We have pressed into service Reserve Police force to help local police in providing security in sensitive areas and they had been deployed at places of worship, railway and bus stations and other sensitive areas. No untoward incidents has been reported from any part of the state," he said.

ADGP Shankar Bidri said steps had been initiated to safeguard communal harmony and all District Police heads have been asked to take precautionary measures. "We are giving special attention to Hyderabad-Karnataka region coming under Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal and Raichur districts," he said.

City Police Commissioner N Achyuta Rao said high alert had been sounded in Bangalore city and the entire police force was in action.

"We have provided additional security at the Airport and the city railway station. Police patrolling is on in sensitive areas," he said.

UNI