M A I N   N E W S

Mumbai on alert after e-mail warning

Mumbai, October 4
Security at important public places and vital installations here has been beefed up and the police has been keeping a strict vigil in the wake of an e-mail received by a news channel, purportedly from an alleged militant outfit, threatening to trigger more bomb explosions in the megapolis.

The e-mail was received on September 22 when the city was gearing up for the Navratri celebrations, the police has said. The message warned of at least 100 blasts in the next 10 days.

The city Police Commissioner, Mr Ranjit Singh Sharma, acknowledged that the news channel had forwarded the mail to the police. He said although apparently the message appeared to be a prank since 10 days had elapsed without any untoward incident, the police would still take no chances.

Mr Sharma said security measures had been increased as the police could not take any risk. Besides, the 25,000 regular policemen on security duty, a company of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other paramilitary units had been kept as constant standby.

Sources said the message started with “Warning to Indians”, and the sender further said: “We will blast Mumbai in pieces this month”. We have done it on the 25th of August and we will do it 100 times more in the next 10 days.” — PTI