Security at airports, stationed increased; Ayodhya under high ale

Lucknow, Aug 13 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh Police have thrown a security blanket around sensitive places ahead of the 60th Independence Day with intelligence machinery put in top gear on the Indo-Nepal border.

''There are intelligence inputs...though it would be inappropriate to divulge details, the state is under a security blanket,'' Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh said here.

The DGP claimed that the intelligence machinery has been put in a top gear at the India-Nepal border. ''Police work on the principals of security, surveillance and patrolling,'' he added.

Besides Maoist rebels, ISI operatives often used the border to sneak into India.

He said, besides the places where official functions would take place, airports, railway stations and bus stands have been placed under high security.

On asking significant problem of threat during the independence celebrations, he said police worked on intelligence inputs.

''Even if there is no threat, police is always on alert presuming there was a threat,'' he added.

Meanwhile, sources in the intelligence establishment said religious cities like Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi have been asked to remain vigilant around Independence Day. ''In a bid to hog the limelight, terrorists may carry out mischief at sensitive places around August 15,'' a source said.

Additional police personnel could also be noticed at railway stations, bus stands and at airports. The entry of visitors to airports was being restricted as a precaution.

Sniffer dogs have been pressed into action. Air and rail passengers and their luggages were being thoroughly checked.

Vehicles coming into the Charbagh railway station were being randomly checked for improvised explosive devices.

UNI