Security up in temples, Velankanni church

COIMBATORE: Having received information that six LeT terrorists have made their way to Coimbatore from Sri Lanka via sea, a red alert was issued for the textile city on Thursday.

Patrolling and vehicle checks continued between the intervening night of Friday and Saturday across the city.

As many as 25 additional check posts were created in the textile city on Friday.

Security was tightened at the famous Dandayuthapani Swami temple at Palani and Subramanya Swamy temple in Tiruchendur down south and the renowned church at Velankanni near Nagapattinam.  

All vehicles entering and moving out of Coimbatore continued to be thoroughly screened on Saturday. In hotels, service apartments and lodges a surprise check was carried out. Raids were carried out in nearly 90 hotels and shopping centers in the city.

The guests accommodated in the hotels were asked to present their proof of identity. Luggage of the in-house guests was also checked. Police verified the register of guests maintained by the respective hotels. As part of the operation, shopping malls in the city were also screened.

Passengers and luggage checks continued to be carried out in railway stations, bus stands and at the Coimbatore International Airport on Saturday. A source familiar with the developments shared with DC places of worship including temples, churches and mosques were provided with additional security as such locations are targeted by terrorists as done in the Sri Lanka church bombing during Easter. The entire city continues to remain under a tight security blanket on Saturday.

Additionally, security has also been steeped up across the border areas of Kerala, Ooty and the Ghat sections.

Meanwhile, Black Commando Security Service personnel armed with guns carried out a march in Mettupalayam as part of the security measure.