Tight security as Andhra Pradesh gears up for Mahashivaratri

The Hyderabad police today intensified checking and frisking operations after a general alert from intelligence agencies to beef up security in view of 'Mahashivaratri' on Sunday.
"There was a general alert. We have stepped up visible policing, besides intensifying checking and frisking operations in crowded areas," City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma told PTI.
The city police has been on an alert following the twin blasts at Dilsukhnagar here last month and the latest general alert prompted them to step up security measures.
Today, the Commissioner himself visited various crowded areas here like Begum Bazar, Koti, Abids and also Dilsukhnagar, where twin blasts occurred last month.

The city police have been visiting public places like cinema halls, malls, crowded shopping areas, temples and parks, directing organisers to install CCTV cameras in their premises, among other measures.
Besides the city police, personnel from the Greyhounds anti-Maoist force and the Octopus anti-terrorist force, were also involved in security manoeuvres.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy held a meeting with senior officials here today and discussed the security situation.
She said, police forces across the state have been directed to take all precautions to ensure that law and order is maintained.
CCTV cameras are being installed across the state capital to keep a vigil, she said.

Observing that devotees throng Shiva temples in large numbers during 'Mahashivaratri', she said security would be strengthened at temples.
She appealed to the people to remain vigilant and help the police take various security measures.