Prevent Maoist attack: CM

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, has asked the police to ramp up security for public representatives and be on the alert to thwart attacks by Maoists.

He gave these directions while reviewing the security situation in the wake of the Maoist attack in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Maoists had gunned down the vice-chairperson of the Zilla Parishad, Mr U. Somalingam, at his house in Choudupalle.

The security of MLAs and ministers in North Andhra has already been stepped up. The ministers, Mr Botsa Satynarayana, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao and Mr Balaraju were asked to be on alert. Public representatives have also been asked not to go to remote areas.

The intelligence IG, Mr Mahender Reddy, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr A.K. Khan, took part in the review meeting. The police officers explained to the Chief Minister how the Maoist attacks took place in Vishakapatnam in the past two days. The state government has also decided to ask the Union home ministry to provide a helicopter to the state for shifting injured persons in emergency situations. “We will be talking to the Union home minister on this,” said the state home minister Ms P. Sabita Indra Reddy.

Delhi on high terror alert

An alert was issued for the national capital and the areas falling within the National Capital Region by the Union home ministry on Saturday following fresh advisories issued by the US, UK and Australia warning of “imminent” terror strikes in Delhi.

The home ministry, however, stressed there is no need to panic and that “it is aware of terror threats which are not specific to Delhi”. The home ministry said an alert has been issued for Jammu and Kashmir too on the basis of intelligence inputs regarding the designs of terrorist outfits to strike over the weekend.

The Delhi Police, in response to the advisories and the alert issued by the home ministry, said it was taking “appropriate measures” to prevent any terror strikes.

The US embassy said on its website: “Terrorists have targeted places in the past where US citizens or Westerners are known to visit. Markets, such as those located in Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Mehrauli, and Sarojini Nagar, can be especially attractive targets for terrorist groups.” In a similar advisory, the UK government said, “There are increased indications that terrorists are planning attacks in New Delhi.” The Australian advisory said, “Reliable reporting indicates that terrorists may be planning to attack markets in New Delhi.”