No specific threat to Madurai Meenakshi Temple: Police

Madurai, Jul 27 (UNI) Stating 'exhaustive' security arrangements have been made at all the important places of worship here, the city police today claimed there was 'no specific terrorist threat to the world-renowned Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple' in the wake of serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

Dismissing a section of media reports that the temple was in terror hit list, a senior police officer told UNI there was no threat to the temple.

The intelligence agencies have sounded a general alert on the possibilities of terror strike on the temples throughout the country. ''Hence, we have clamped multi-pronged security arrangements in and around the Meenakshi Temple as a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the serial blasts,'' he added.

He said an additional 50 policemen were deployed for the bandobust duty in addition to the existing 150-strong police force.

All the devotees were frisked by the securitymen before entering the temple and baggage subjected to through check up.

Besides a round-the-clock security arrangement, police patrolling was intensified around the temple complex.

Following a red alert sounded by the Central intelligence agencies, police have stepped up security measures in the district.

All the 14 checkposts have been strengthened with policemen keeping a round-the-clock vigil at all the entry points to the city.

UNI GSM AE KP1955