Centre tells states to tighten security during festival season

In the wake of multiple blasts in Patna, the Centre on Monday asked all states to maintain high alert and tighten security during the festival season.

The Home Ministry also asked five poll-bound states to beef up security in election rallies, especially those being attended by top leaders. In an advisory sent a day after the serial blasts in Patna, the Home Ministry asked the states and Union Territories to keep strict vigil on sensitive places, markets, religious sites, railway stations, bus terminus and in other vital installations besides deploying adequate forces for their security.

Sources said the states and UTs were asked to take all precautions to foil any attempt by terrorists to indulge in subversive activities, especially in places where there are large gathering of people.

The Home Ministry also asked authorities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram to tighten security in political rallies as there may be attempts to target such gatherings by terrorists, sources said.

Six persons were killed in the seven low intensity serial blasts of which six bombs went off in and around the venue of Modi's mega rally at Gandhi Maidan shortly before his address before a huge gathering on Sunday.