Mumbai, Maharashtra on alert, security increased at Buddhist shrines

High alert was sounded across the city following nine synchronised blasts in the Mahabodi temple complex at Bodhgaya in Bihar on Sunday.

High alert was sounded across the city following nine synchronised blasts in the Mahabodi temple complex at Bodhgaya in Bihar on Sunday.

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Security was beefed up outside Chaityabhoomi (Buddhists’ pilgrimage site) in Dadar following the blasts in Bihar.

Mumbai police sources said though there was no specific threat to the city from terror elements, they are not taking any chances as the city has been the target of repeated terror strikes in the past.

Keeping in mind public safety, alert has been sounded at railway stations, bus stands, airport, crowded areas such as malls and shopping places, sources said, adding that checks and nakabandis were being conducted at various places throughout the city.

Special security measures are in place at various Buddhist shrines and places of worship in the city, sources said.

The police have also placed the bomb detection and disposal squad and the dog squad on standby. All police stations in the city have reportedly been told to increase patrolling in their jurisdiction.

According to sources, July is a worrying month for the Mumbai police as a string of blasts — such as the serial train blasts of 2006, and triple blasts of 2011 — have, in the past, occurred in this month.

Sources said that last month, the railway police had issued a general alert asking its force to be extra alert as terrorists had previously carried out strikes during monsoon.

Sadanand Date, joint commissioner of police (law and order), confirmed that security in the city has been beefed up. “We are on high alert,” he said.

Alert was also sounded in other parts of the state.

Home minister RR Patil on Sunday confirmed this: “There are no specific threats or inputs following the blasts in Bihar.

However, we have gone ahead and sounded an alert in Maharashtra and increased security at all Buddhist pilgrim sites in the state. I would request people — especially members of the Dalit community — to maintain peace.”