The Maharashtra government has put on high alert those spots in Mumbai, that see a “substantial inflow of foreign tourists” after the state intelligence department (SID) received inputs of a possible terror strike in these areas.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis gave the order to increase the presence of security measures in these areas on Wednesday after holding a security review meeting.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Fadnavis, who also heads the Home portfolio, and included both ministers of state for home Dr Ranjit Patil and professor Ram Shinde, along with additional chief secretary (home) K.P Bakshi, Maharashtra director general Of police Pravin Dixit, and senior officials from the SID and the anti-terrorism squad (ATS).
“As per an advisory issued by the Union government, Mumbai police has been asked to enhance security cover in all places that see a substantial footfall of foreign tourists. Places like Gateway of India, five and seven star hotels have been put on high alert,” said an official, who was part of the meeting.
He added that the enhanced security measures would be in place for the next 15 days, following which another security review meeting will be taken. “If the high threat risk persists even after a fortnight, we will continue with the security arrangements,” the official said.
The threat of a terror attack on establishments comes amidst the backdrop of the recent deadly terror attacks in Paris that killed 129 people and wounded more than 350. The terrorist group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
With one of the venues attacked in France being a concert hall, the police is taking a relook at security arrangements for a concert by Sunburn scheduled on November 29 at NSCI ground in Worli.
Security has also been stepped up at railway stations, airports, markets, malls, theatres and hotels in cities across the state.
