High alert in Amritsar city post blast in Ludhiana

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 23

Following the blast at the District Courts Complex in Ludhiana, which claimed one life and left several persons injured, the city police on Thursday carried out a search operation in the entire court complex area here, besides strengthening security.

The police also carried out search operations at different sensitive points, including the railway station, inter-state bus terminus, shopping malls, etc.

In the court complex, the police team was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Jugraj Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sarabjit Singh Bajwa and other cops led the search operation. A dog squad was also pressed into service to comb the area.

Later, they held a meeting with members of the Amritsar Bar Association headed by advocate Vipin Dhand, which pointed out at certain shortcomings in security provided at the highly sensitive court complex. They pointed out that unidentified civilians whose kin were facing cases also entered the court complex with vehicles which were parked outside the court complex. There were several entry and exit points leading to the court complex, which remains unguarded. The association urged no civilian vehicles barring lawyers should be allowed to enter the complex.

They also checked the security equipment, including metal detectors, installed at different entry and exit points of the court complex.

The ADCP assured them of addressing all the shortcomings immediately and take appropriate measures to ensure a fool-proof security system at the complex. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Parminder Singh Bhandal said the police were already on alert following the Ludhiana court complex blast and a red alert had been sounded. “Besides the court complex, search operations were also carried out at other sensitive points, including the railway station, the interstate bus terminus, different shopping mall, etc,” he said, adding that officials would remain in the field to ensure property security in the holy city.