Security alert in UP following explosives recovery in Faizabad
Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) A thick security blanket has been thrown over the temple towns of Uttar Pradesh following the Gorakhpur blasts last evening and the recovery of explosives from the Faizabad railway station early today.
While Principal Secretary (Home) K Chandramauli and state Director General of Police (DGP) G P Sharma rushed to Gorakhpur, the Faizabad incident has put security agencies on alert.
Security has been tightened in and around the temple towns of Ayodhya-Faizabad, Mathura, Varanasi and Gorakhpur.
The Railway police, during a routine search, recovered 10 kg of explosives and 20 litre of ammonium nitrate from the second class waiting room on platform No 1 of Faizabad at around 0155 hrs today, according to reports.
Security teams were rushed from Lucknow to Faizabad to ascertain the nature of the seized explosives and probe the incident, senior state officials told UNI here.
The police was also trying to ascertain a connection between the recovery of explosives and the Gorakhpur blasts in a crowded shopping area last evening, in which five persons were injured.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has been handed the investigation into the serial blasts.
A senior official told UNI in Lucknow that the Faizabad explosives recovery was not formally entrusted with the STF but considering that the STF had successfully cracked the March 7, 2006 serial blasts at Sankatmochan temple and cantonment railway station in Varanasi and the July 5, 2005 blast at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya, its services would be sought.
Meanwhile, all district magistrates have been instructed to maintain law and order and take stringent action against rumour mongers.
The international border that UP shares with Nepal and all other sensitive places in the state have been put on high alert.
Security has been beefed up at Ayodhya temple complex, Gorakhdham temple at Gorakhpur, Krishna Janam Bhoomi, Mathura and Sankatmochan and other temples at Varanasi. Other important installations including the Taj Mahal have also been put under the strict security scanner, officials said.
Security has also been tightened at 'Prayag' Allahabad, and all railways stations and bus terminals in the state.
The preliminary investigation in the Gorakhpur blasts case has expressed apprehension that timer devices may have been used as the blasts took place within five minutes duration between 1900 hrs to 1915 hrs at a petrol pump, Baldev Plaza Market and Hotel York.
The District Police Chief of Gorakhpur Rajesh Kumar Rai said, ''This could be the handiwork of terrorist outfits or some petty criminals, but nothing can be said right now.'' The injured persons were admitted to the Gorakhpur district hospital in a serious condition.
UNI