Tight vigil at Tamil Nadu ports, airports & Velankanni

CHENNAI: Security has been tightened across Tamil Nadu following the serial blasts in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The Indian Coast Guard is also on high alert and patrolling has been increased along the coast of Tamil Nadu, said a defence official.

State intelligence officials said they had received a red alert from the Intelligence Bureau in Delhi to heighten security at major installations including churches, mosques and temples across the state. Patrol teams are keeping a vigil at all vital installations in the state.

An additional 10 police personnel have been deployed at Maha Bodhi Society at Kenneth Lane in Egmore.

Airports in Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore and Madurai have increased their security checks. Meanwhile, the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka has stopped issuing visas to India while Sri Lankan airlines has announced that passengers will be allowed to reschedule their flights free of cost.

While security checks have been tightened at Chennai airport, CISF personnel strength in Trichy airport has been increased by 30%. Two flight services are operated between Trichy and Colombo every day.

A team of 20 armed police, headed by an inspector, has also been deployed at the Velankanni Basilica, Nagapattinam police sources said.

Sniffer dogs deployed at airports

CISF personnel are accompanied by sniffer dogs on both entrances of the Chennai airport. They have been asked to conduct physical checking apart from regular baggage checking at the entrance, officials said.

“Though we have not received any communiqué from our headquarters, we have enhanced the existing security arrangements,” a senior official from CISF, Trichy airport, said.

Meanwhile, a large number of personnel from marine, coastal and state police departments have been deployed along the coastal areas from Kollidam to Kodiakkarai in Nagapattinam district.

Indian Navy officials has stepped up vigil in the international maritime boundary in the south.

Coastal security groups and marine police have increased frequency of rounds in the shallow waters. They are on the move checking for suspicious activities. “Fishermen leaving the jetty and returning are being closely monitored and their boats are being searched. Suspicious activities, if found, are being reported to higher officials immediately,” said a police officer from Ramanathapuram district.