The Tamil Nadu police have been put on high alert in the wake of the revocation of the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution. While intelligence agencies stepped up vigil on social media and mobile messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to prevent the circulation of “objectionable” messages that could whip up communal feelings, security was tightened at vulnerable places, including vital installations and places of worship.
Hours after the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was withdrawn, an alert was sent across the State to deploy security personnel at offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other Hindu organisations. Police were told to check the stock of explosives in the godowns of authorised dealers and prevent the diversion of consignments of explosives, sources said.
The Railway police was advised to strengthen armed security at major railway stations, bridges and important trains. Security was enhanced at Central government establishments, nuclear installations, communication towers, reservoirs, malls and fuel storage points, among others. Entry at airports was restricted to authorised persons and passengers. Besides intensifying vehicle checks and patrols along the coastline, Commissioners/Superintendents of Police were instructed to conduct surprise checks at hotels, mansions and resorts to ensure that no fundamentalist elements and their sympathisers or supporters were staying there.
The State police would promulgate Section 30 (2) of the Police Act to regulate demonstrations or processions by religious organisations. The security arrangements already in place in view of the Independence Day celebrations were further intensified on Monday, sources said. “We have been advised to prevent celebrations or protests that may be organised by members on both sides since even a small altercation may snowball into violence. Special police teams have been formed to keep tabs on anti-social elements,” a senior officer said.
Director General of Police J.K. Tripathy reviewed the security arrangements with senior police officials at the police headquarters here. “Adequate manpower has been deployed at vantage points. The intelligence machinery has been fully geared up, and we are prepared to avert any untoward incident,” Mr. Tripathy told The Hindu .
ADGPs nominated
The DGP nominated ADGPs Shankar Jiwal, Abhay Kumar Singh, Shailesh Kumar Yadav, P. Thamaraikannan and Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal to take stock of the law & order situation and ensure necessary precautionary measures were taken to avert untoward incidents.
