Security beefed up at 40 sites in state

Worried about where terrorists will strike next, the government has stepped security across the state but especially in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nasik and Aurangabad.

Worried about where terrorists will strike next, the government has stepped security across the state but especially in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nasik and Aurangabad.

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In Mumbai, at least 1,400 installations and buildings sites such as the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the state

secretariat, the Chabad House, and the Police headquarters will see a more stringent round-the-clock surveillance.

The sites include 40-odd sites recced by American terror suspect David Headley during his visits to the state.

“If one look at past incidents, there has rarely been a lone bomb blast. There have been serial blasts or blasts in three cities one after the other. We are concerned whether there will be another terror target post Pune,’’ said a state government official.

On Sunday, top government and senior police officials were scrambling to address the situation. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Home Minister R R Patil held a meeting at the state secretariat to review security risks across five cities in the state.

While Mumbai and Pune are obvious terror targets, Nagpur is a concern because it houses the RSS headquarters. And, Aurangabad and Nasik could be potential targets because of their religious sites.

Chavan reportedly asked the police officials and if they thought there could be another target in the state.

At the meeting, it was decided to put areas having American and Jewish settlements across the state on alert.

The government spokesperson Prajakta Lavangare was tightlipped about the security review details. She said, “In light of the blasts, the CM took security preparedness review of various areas especially of vital and sensitive installations in Mumbai and other cities.’’

Senior officials including additional chief secretary home, Chandra Iyengar, Director General of Police AN Roy, Police Commissioner D. Shivanandan, Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) K L Prasad, and Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Rakesh Maria, were present at the meet.