Meghalaya put on high alert during Durga Puja

Shillong, Oct 17 (UNI) Meghalaya police today sounded a general alert against possible subversive attacks by fundamentalist elements to disrupt Durga Puja celebrations in the state.

''The general alert has been sounded in response to the Union Home Ministry's directives in the wake of recent bomb blasts in Ludhiana and Ajmer, carried out by Bangladesh-based Muslim fundamentalists,'' State Director General of Police B K Dey Sawian said.

''We have tightened our security across the state, especially as Meghalaya shares borders with Bangladesh,'' Mr Sawian told UNI here.

The BSF personnel, guarding the porous Indo-Bangla border, are also keeping an extra vigil to thwart attempts by Muslim fundamentalist groups to sneak into India from the neighbouring country, he added.

Meghalaya which shares a 443 km border with Bangladesh, has served a traditional route for Bangladesh-based militants operating in India's North Eastern states.

''We have alerted our security personnel stationed across the state to ensure smooth Durga Puja celebrations,'' Mr Sawian said.

State police and Home guards have been pressed into service in this regard, he said. He, however, informed that there will be no deployment of Central Reserve Police Force during the religious festival.

Meanwhile, 141 puja pandals have been erected across the state.

UNI