Statewide Security Alert Issued in Odisha
In response to the devastating car explosion in Delhi that resulted in eight fatalities on Monday, the Odisha government has declared a statewide high alert. The decision was made as a precautionary measure to safeguard critical infrastructure and popular tourist spots across the state.
Key Security Measures Implemented
Director General of Police, Y B Khurania, clarified that while there is no specific intelligence pointing to a threat against Odisha, authorities are not taking any chances. He confirmed that comprehensive security protocols have been activated. Strategic locations across the state are now under heightened surveillance.
The security focus includes:
- Major religious sites, most notably the Puri Jagannath Temple.
- Critical defence installations like the Integrated Test Range (ITR) and Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE).
- The Military Engineering Services (MES) in Balasore and the missile launching complex at Wheeler Island near Bhadrak.
Additional Director General (Law and Order), Sanjay Kumar, stated that police forces in all urban centers have been directed to increase their vigilance. Instructions have been issued to the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack commissionerate police and all District Superintendents of Police (SPs) to enhance patrolling and implement night road blocking for better surveillance.
Enhanced Vigilance at Pilgrimage and Tourist Hubs
Special attention is being paid to the state's extensive 575-km-long coastline, which is being closely monitored. Security personnel are conducting thorough checks at key transportation hubs, including railway stations and bus terminals, as well as at shopping centres, religious venues, and crowded marketplaces.
Puri SP Prateek Singh confirmed a significant tightening of security at the iconic Jagannath Temple. Given the temple's status as a major pilgrimage site attracting lakhs of devotees every year, the measures are particularly stringent.
"We have instructed our personnel to remain extremely vigilant," Singh said. "All entry points are being rigorously monitored, and drone activity over the temple is strictly prohibited."
He further revealed that the frisking of devotees has been intensified. This move comes in the wake of recent incidents where spy cameras were seized from visitors inside the shrine. Anti-sabotage and anti-terrorist teams are now conducting regular sweeps of the area, and CCTV footage is being monitored continuously from a central command centre.
To ensure the safety of tourists, police have also ramped up inspections in hotels and beachside accommodations. Hotel operators have been formally advised to meticulously verify guest identities and promptly report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities.
Public Cooperation Crucial
Authorities are earnestly appealing to citizens to play their part in maintaining security. The public has been urged to remain alert and to immediately report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods to the police. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community is considered vital for the effectiveness of the security measures during this period of heightened alert.
