Tight security blanket for 9th anniversary of Blasts

A tight security blanket has been thrown over this city ahead of the ninth anniversary tomorrow of of serial blasts here that killed 58 people.

The blasts rocked the city and its suburban areas on February 14, 1998 during the visit of BJP leader L K Advani for election campaigning. Property worth over Rs 100 crore was lost due to the explosions.

"Though there is no threat perception, the security is part of a routine exercise to prevent untoward incidents," a police source said.

About 3,000 personnel from local police and paramilitary forces have been deployed for security duties and will remain in place till Thursday evening, officials said.

Checking of vehicles has been intensified at the city's entry points and at checkposts, and patrolling by armed guards has been arranged round the clock, they said.

Armed guards have been deployed at railway stations, bus stands, the airport and places of public concentration, with a special focus on communally sensitive areas. Strict vigil will be maintained at places of worship and on vital installations, the officials said.

Security was also tightened in the rural limits, particularly Tirupur and Mettupalayam which are considered to be "sensitive", they said