Foil any terror attempt during festival time: Centre to states

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the festival season, the Centre has asked all states to remain alert and tighten security in sensitive places to foil any attempt by terrorists to disturb peace.

In an advisory to all states and Union Territories, the Home Ministry said terrorists may try to carry out attacks during the festival season beginning this month and all efforts should be taken to prevent any such attempt.

The states and UTs have been asked to deploy adequate forces in sensitive areas like markets, religious places, railway stations, bus terminus, bridges and strategic installations and intensify vigil to monitor movement of suspicious persons, sources said.

The Home Ministry advisory said all efforts should be made to ensure communal harmony during the festivals and those trying to incite people in the name of religion should be dealt with strongly.

It asked states and UTs to deploy adequate security forces in places where there are possibilities of eruption of communal flare-up.

The state government has been asked to be extra vigilant and deal effectively with petty incidents to avert any communal skirmish.

Preventive arrests should be made wherever necessary and strict action taken against anyone trying to inflame passion, sources said.

Senior officers have been asked to rush to the spot even if a minor incident is reported and try to control the situation with utmost sensitivity so that social fabric is not destroyed, they added.