Terror groups targetting religious places: Patil

Hyderabad, May 19: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said intelligence agencies have received information that several religious places were being targeted by terrorist groups in the country.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Patil said, ''We have received the information that terrorist groups were planning to attack several religious establishments in the country. The Centre would provide tight security to all holy places under threat.'' He said the Centre, however, would not disclose the information on the places targetted as it would create panic among people. ''We are striving to strengthen security at holy places, besides instilling confidence in the people'', he added.

''The terrorist organisations were targetting religious places to drive a wedge among communities in the country,'' he said.

Observing that infiltration and exfiltration along the border areas has come down drastically and the violence has also reduced, Mr Patil said, ''it is very difficult to provide security along the 15,000-km-long land border and 7000-km-long coastal border.'' Referring to yesterday's bomb blast in Mecca Masjid here, Mr Patil said the Centre would stand by the state government. ''We would help the Andhra Pradesh Government discharge duties in the best possible manner.''

UNI