Terror threat can't be taken lightly: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 28 (UNI) Stating that the terror threat could not be taken lightly, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the police have been asked to be more cautious following reports that the state would be the next target of the extremists.

Talking to newspersons after a high-level meeting, he said ''the police force has been asked to strengthen itself to meet any eventuality.'' He said all the aspects of the security were discussed in the meeting, which was attended by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Chief Secretary P J Thomas and DGP Raman Srivastava.

The meeting also decided to ask the assistance of the Centre for strengthening the police force.

Mr Achuthanandan also said his office received an anonymous call in the afternoon threatening to blow up the Alappuzha All India Radio station. Instructions had been given to look into it, he added.

Later, Mr Balakrishnan said the state police force needed more sophisticated equipments like bomb disposal equipment. The state would seek more funds from the Centre in this regard, he added.

Stating that the state police was efficient to face any situation, he said more experts were needed to tackle such situations.

Mr Balakrishnan said this morning, the state received only a message from the Centre asking ''to be more careful''.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been in force at all the public places, including railway and bus stations, IT parks and religious places.

Reports from Kochi and Kozhikode said the police was on high alert.

A report from Kozhikode said tension prevailed in a higher secondary school, near the city, following a telephone call that a bomb, which has been planted at the school premises, would explode around noon. Later, the call proved to be a hoax.

A report from Kalpetta said foolproof security has been in place in the neighbouring Wayanad district for the second-day today as part of a statewide alert sounded by the government.

Security personnel were patrolling in all the towns in the hilly district to detect movement of anti-social elements, police said.

Checking at localities bordering Karnataka were continuing, the report said.

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