Faced with ISI terror threat, Adityanath orders to construct walls around holy places
27 April 2017 5:14 PM GMT
Amid Intelligence warning that an ISI-trained group in the garb of Hindu seers might strike prominent religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for construction of boundary walls around the holy spots. The priest-turned-politician also asked the officials concerned to ensure laying of 4-lane road connecting famous temples for the convenience of visitors.
Adityanath, the Hindu hardline leader who took over as chief minister of the most populous state over a month ago, gave the directive at a presentation of Religious Endowment Department here late last night.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Security), Mathura, Siddharth Verma said they had received information that terrorists dressed as 'sadhus' could enter the state to carry out attacks.
The pilgrim town of Mathura is a sensitive area as it is situated along the state's border with Rajasthan and Haryana, prompting police to instal metal detectors, X-ray machines and CCTV cameras at vantage places, as well as carry out surprise checks at night shelters, guest houses and hotels.
"Checking is being done daily and undercover police personnel are keeping a watch at public areas after reports that a group of 20-25 men dressed as seers are planning to attack important places, especially pilgrim centres, in Uttar Pradesh," Verma told PTI.
The group, allegedly trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been directed to target Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, he said.
"All district police chiefs and Railway superintendents of police have been informed about the threat. We are coordinating with other agencies to thwart such attempts," UP anti-terror squad Inspector General Asim Arun said.
Central Intelligence agencies have been sharing inputs with the UP Police since February about increased activity of terrorists in the state.
According to the latest alert, the ISI is planning to launch attacks in the northern state under the code name 'Operation Krishna India'.
"The agency (ISI) has reportedly trained the group for months to familiarise them with Hindu religious practices. Members of the module are planning to enter UP through the Nepal border in the guise of seers," the reports said.
BJP MP, MLA accused of misbehaving with officials
BJP MLA Kesar Singh and MP Priyanka Rawat have been accused of misbehaving with officials in UP, police said on Thursday.
Singh, the BJP MLA from Nawabganj in Bareilly district, allegedly thrashed and kept hostage a bank manager, while Rawat, the partys MP from Barabanki, has been accused of threatening an ASP during a press conference on Wednesday. The manager of Dalernager branch of Baroda Gramin Bank Harish Singh lodged a complaint at Nawabganj police station, alleging that Singh arrived in his office along with his supporters yesterday to enquire about a farmers bank account, police said.
The MLA then allegedly thrashed the manager, and took him to an undisclosed destination where he was kept hostage for one hour and allowed to go only after being given a written assurance to make the payment related to the bank account.
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