Curfew is imposed in and around Kalpakkam following Intelligence reports indicating that Islamic militant groups might be plotting major attacks around Independance Day celebrations. The Intelligence report puts Kalpakkam and other nuclear installations as the main target for the terrorist. Here is a news article from Sify. Curfew imposed in and around Kalpakkam
Monday, 14 August , 2006, 13:13
Chennai: Taking no chances ahead of Independence Day, the Army, which has taken effective control of security at two atomic power units at Kalpakkam, has imposed curfew in and around the township from midnight of Sunday.
This step has been taken in view of the alert sounded by intelligence agencies regarding threats to vital installations in the country, official sources said on Monday.
Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea until further orders.
Curfew had been imposed within an eight km radius of Kalpakkam and would be in force from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the sources said.
Army and revenue officials were having discussions on the implementation of curfew without causing any hardship to the people living in the area.
The officials would explain to the people the reasons for the curfew and seek their co-operation in the effective implementation of the curfew regulations.
All these measures were only precautionary in nature, the sources said.
Naval sources said two of its ships have been positioned in the seas off Kalpakkam to provide security to the atomic plants.
The Central Industrial Security Force, which is already providing security to the two establishments, is being strengthened by a company of the National Security Guards. On the eve of Independence day, stringent security measures have also been put in place in various parts of the state, including at railway stations, airports, the Chennai Harbour, places of worship and other sensitive areas.
Police said a 24-hour vigil was being maintained at Mettur in Salem district, where the Stanley reservoir provides water to the Cauvery delta areas. Police personnel in uniform and in plainclothes are patrolling the dam and nearby areas.
At airports, particularly in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli, visitors' entry has been banned until further notice. Vehicles entering Chennai airport were being thoroughly checked, passengers were being frisked and their baggage scanned at two different places, airport sources said.
Security has also been tightened at the Central railway station and Chennai Egmore railway station. No passenger was being allowed to board their respective trains without baggage checks or being frisked, they said.
Security has also been tightened at suburban railway stations, police said.
Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Lethika Saran told reporters here that security in the metropolis has been strengthened, especially in sensitive areas. Police pickets have been posted in different areas of the city like the Secretariat, railway stations and the huge Koyambedu complex, which houses vegetable and fruit wholesale and retail markets, the main bus stand for inter-state and inter-district transport.
Saran said security has also been beefed at Consulates of different countries. "We have been carrying out intensified vehicle checks both during daytime and at night", she said.