High alert sounded following attack threat to TN temples

Chennai, Sep 25 (UNI) Heightened security measures have been put in place in all important temples in Tamil Nadu in the wake of specific threats to some of them from the terror outfit Lakshar-e-toiba, in the aftermath of the recent blasts in Delhi.

''A high level security alert has been sounded in the wake of Central Intelligence Agencies warning of a possible attack on temples and a Tamil Daily by Lakshar-e-Toiba'', police sources said.

The famous Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, the Parthasarathy Swamy temple and the ancient Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai, Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangam, Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameshwaram, Lord Dhandayuthapani temple atop Palani Hills, Arulmigu Nellaiyappar temple in Tirunelveli, Lord Karpaga Vinayagar temple at Pillaiyarpatti, Goddess Andal temple in Srivilliputhur and Goddess Kumari Amman Temple at Kanniyakumari have come under thick security cover.

The decision to tighten the security arrangements in temples and in all important places in the state was taken at a high level meeting held here last evening. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, discussed at length the intelligence inputs from New Delhi and decided to increase security across the state.

Metal detectors were installed in all the temples and devotees were allowed entry only after thorough frisking.

Security had also been tightened at the office of the Tamil daily which has come under the hit list of terror groups for recently publishing cartoons on Prophet Mohammed.

Apart from temples, security has also been tightened in all important places and in areas where people congregate in large numbers like railway stations, shopping malls and bus stands.

The sources said that police have also mounted surveillance to look into the presence of sleeper cells of banned SIMI and other outfits in the state.

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