Tight security for TN CM in Tirupur following threat

Coimbtore, Dec 28 (UNI) Tight security has been ensured in Tirupur for the visit of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to the town tomorrow to officially upgrade it into a Corporation from a municipality.

The beefed up security was following the receipt of a threat letter by local officials purportedly from a Muslim group 'Al-Umma Iyakkam', warning that the Chief Minister would be ''eliminated'' by a suicide bomber, according to police sources.

Tahsildar of Tirupur town, Sulochana, received the letter yesterday, threatening that the Chief Minister would be ''finished off'' by a suicide bomber.

The letter also stated that Mr Karunanidhi was targeted as his government had not taken any steps to increase the age limit for recruittment in the police force from 24 years to 29, despite an announcement, police said.

The letter also said that the information about the intended attack should be passed on to Tirupur Municipality Chairman, the District Collector and the Police Superintendent.

Over 1700 police personnel have been deployed and additional forces may also be requisitioned, a senior police official said.

More than 500 armed guards would be posted in and around the dais from where Karunanidhi is scheduled to address a meeting, the official said.

UNI