Kerala - Kochi   

Security stepped up in the city

— Photo: H. Vibhu

RIGOROUS SEARCH: The Navy’s Bomb Disposal Squad sanitising Marine Drive and the surrounding areas on Thursday in the wake of terror attacks in Mumbai.

KOCHI: The Bomb Squad of the City Police has been constantly on the field since Wednesday night, when the first reports about the Mumbai attacks came in. The checking operations were intensified on Thursday morning.

Starting from the High Court, the squad checked spots like the boat jetty, railway stations and bus terminals, where there are crowds and high-density parking. Door frame metal detectors were installed at both the railway stations in the city.

The bomb squad of the Navy joined this force by Thursday afternoon and a combined checking was done along Marine Drive and business establishments like Penta Menaka and the GCDA Shopping Complex.

In between, the police bomb squad was flooded with calls from public. In one case, the motherboard of a computer found abandoned at the South Railway Station triggered panic calls. In another instance, a bag of crystal-like substance and powders brought the squad hurrying to the site. The bag was later found to contain ingredients for preparing Ayurvedic medicines and was taken to the Railway police station.

Given the high alert situation, every call is being followed up. Callers are being traced and action is taken immediately, said M.V. Jose of the bomb squad.

Vehicle checking and screening of passengers at public transport stations will continue.

The Coast Guard has augmented the security system along the coast. The force can quickly respond to any intelligence input, said K. Loshali, DIG, Coast Guard.

Patrolling has been increased along the coast and access to Coast Guard installations has been restricted, he said, explaining the two-fold security strategy adopted.

At the Cochin International Airport, security was strengthened on Thursday with officials instructing the security agencies to remain vigilant. Airport officials said the decision to step up security was taken at a meeting among the various agencies.

Though no ban on visitors has been imposed, they would be frisked at the entrance and no bags would be allowed inside the terminals, A.C.K. Nair, Airport Director, said.

The police have intensified patrolling in the side road and the inspection of vehicles in the parking lot has been intensified.

The dog squad of the airport has also swung into action.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Market tips for farmers
A development campaign on wheels
Nanotechnology will change lives: Sivathanu Pillai
CBI files affidavit in Abhaya case
Security tightened at railway stations
Keralite among terror victims
Book on medieval navigation
Cliched performances at university fete
Ophthalmic surgeons’ meet
Volume on Guruvayur temple
The fight is behind the leader Ocean Race watch
Uneasy calm at Taj Hotel
Security stepped up in the city
Supplyco offer
Samatha Law Society
Body found
Tender coconut ban lifted
Lacklustre show at fete
Dies of burns
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu