SECURITY was upped at the premises of the famous ISCKON temple on Gotri Road following a threat from an anonymous caller that the temple would be blown up.
More than 50 armed police personnel were deployed inside as well as outside the temple premises to keep a watch on possible suspects. Entry to the temple was also regulated by installing a metal detector at the main entry gate. Though physical frisking has not yet been started, police authorities are not taking any risk and every visitor and devotee is allowed to enter the temple after passing through a metal detector only.
Half a dozen women police personnel have also been deployed to assist their male colleagues in case of physical frisking of any female entering the temple is required on grounds of suspicion or due to any other security reason.
Police points have also been set up at a high-rise building adjoining the temple. Another point has been set up on the terrace of a building on the right side of the temple that houses a homoeopathic dispensary, a bookstore and a tea stall.
Policemen in civvies have also been deployed in the parking lot and around the boundary walls to crack down swiftly in case of any mischief. Traffic policemen were also posted outside the main gate to assist smooth flow of traffic. Minor changes in the parking arrangements outside the temple have also been made to avoid any risk to the temple or devotees coming in and going out in case of any incident. Temple official Nityanand Swami, when questioned about the threat call, refused to divulge any information. Though sources said that the call had been made to the temple, Swami refused to say anything about it.‘‘Ask the police about it’’ was all he said.
He, however, wanted the incident played down because it might create panic among the devotees and the general public.
Joint Commissioner of Police P C Thakur, who took a round of the temple premises and drew up the temple’s security plan, also avoided answering questions about the threat call, the nature of threat and the identity of the caller. ‘‘It may be a prank call and disclosure of details about it may create unnecessary fear and confusion among the people’’, said Thakur.