Security heightened in Malegaon ahead of 'Shab-e-Baraat'

MALEGAON: Security has been beefed up in this weavers' town in Nashik district of North Maharashtra ahead of the ' Shab-e-Baraat' tomorrow, a police official here said.


On September 8, 2006, serial blasts had occurred in the town killing 35 people on the eve of 'Shab-e-Baraat', considered auspicious among Muslims when they assemble to pay respects to their departed kin.

Additional security forces, including state reserve police force (SRPF) platoons have been deployed in the city including various burial grounds, as a precautionary measure, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yogesh Chavan told reporters here yesterday.

He said beggars from outside Malegaon have been banned from entering the place to collect alms distributed by Muslims on the occasion.

CCTV cameras, a watch tower have also been set up while there would be 'nakabandi' at eight places and vehicles would also be checked as a precautionary measure, Chavan said.

People coming to burial grounds will be thoroughly checked, he said.

Additional SP Sunil Kadasane took a meeting of peace committee members and urged them to take precautions and assist local administration for a peaceful passage of the event, he added.