With the Bengaluru blast suspect still at large, the Centre has issued an advisory to states to stay alert and fail any attempt to carry out similar sabotage.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the advisory detailed the sequence of events that happened at Rameshwaram Cafe and advised states that a high degree of alert must be maintained.
Blast, and response
The explosion at the renowned cafe on March 1 injured at least nine people. The blast occurred around 1 pm at the cafe’s Whitefield branch.
Soon after the blast, metros like Hyderabad, Delhi, and Bengaluru issued alerts for entire cities. Officials said that security at all major airports remains intensified. CISF and local units are screening passengers and baggage closely with dog squads being pressed into service more frequently. A similar level of security, officials said, is being maintained at railway stations also of capital cities.
Delhi police has increased deployment in markets and around vital installations. Religious sites, diplomatic buildings, office areas, shopping malls, and popular eateries are all seeing more police deployment across major metros.
‘Election rallies, roadshows a security challenge’
The blast in Bengaluru just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls being announced has thrown up fresh challenges. A Delhi police officer told CNN-News18 that the crowded markets ahead of upcoming festivities like Shivratri and Holi, and election-related public gatherings are a security concern. “It is evident that a crowded eatery at lunchtime in a metro like Bengaluru was chosen deliberately. This comes just ahead of elections, so the intention is clear,” the officer said.
An Uttar Pradesh police officer said that while securing public rallies is easy, roadshows and impromptu yatras are a challenge. “The entry and exit point of a rally venue can be equipped with metal detectors, scanners, etc, the venue can be sanitised, but for roadshows, the challenge is manifold. The bridges and culvert en route all have to be checked. The VIP protection drill is clear but if the intention of the saboteur is to spread panic then any explosion in a crowd has the potential of a stampede,” he said.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the poll dates next week. With the BJP declaring its first list of candidates, poll-related activities have already begun in many constituencies. Police across states are maintaining high alert to ensure that any suspicious activities are immediately flagged off, sources said.
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