Commandos to be deployed at Taj and hotels in UP

Lucknow, Nov 29 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has chalked out a comprehensive plan, which included heightening of security at tourist places of Lucknow, Agra and Varanasi, beside ensuring fool proof protection of world famous monument 'Taj Mahal', Ram Janambhumi complex in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Krishna Janambhumi in Mathura.

Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh and UP Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh have already left for the shrine city of Mathura as part of the review activity of overall security at important places of the state.

The state government, taking lessons from terrorist attacks on Mumbai, has decided to deploy commandos at important hotels of the state especially at Agra, where the presence of foreign tourists is always high.

District Police Chief of Agra Prem Prakash told UNI over phone that the 'Taj' would have an additional ring of security-the fourth one. He added that at least two commandos each would be deployed at 'Taj' and important hotels of the Taj city.

Same views have been expressed by R K S Rathore, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Faizabad, who said the security ring around the Ram Janambhumi Complex in Ayodhya would be tightened. The security of the complex was already manned by commandos as well.

It may be recalled that Uttar Pradesh is one of worst terrorist-hit states in the country with episodes of attacks on Ayodhya, Varanasi and Lucknow had taken place in the recent times.

Stunned at the Mumbai attacks, the UP government decided to set up commando units at Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi and other places to deal with any exigency.

The personnel of a special batallion of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) was already under commando training and they would be deployed in the field as early as possible.

On the other hand, the UP DGP held a brain storming meeting yesterday with law and order machinery and officers of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) and prepared a log-drawn strategy to deal with any situation. A strict work regime is being implemented in the intelligence mechanism of the state while the vacant posts in some of vital departments would be filled up at the soonest, according to an official spokesman.

The Railway stations, shopping malls and upmarket places are already under security scanner and the district officials across the state are expected to hold meetings with the hotel owners and shop owners in view of providing security at these places. The sensitisation of private security personnel would also be in the list of agenda being pursued by the state government urgently.

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