Papers of 138 foreigners checked in Hyderabad

Cordon and search operations have been taken up in Old City in Hyderabad following terror alert that some foreign elements were going to make lightning attacks in Indian cities to disrupt Republic Day celebrations. In all, 138 people have been rounded up in this connection by Wednesday, and their papers are being checked. The police have taken these people to police stations and checking whether their papers are in order. Following definite information that there were foreigners in high numbers at Bahadurpura, Kanchanbag and Asadbabanagar, the police in hundreds surrounded the areas. A house-to-house search was then taken up. In all, 138 people from these localities were called to the police station to check their papers. Law and order is a state subject and the Central agencies give alerts from time to time. Most of the time these alerts are like weather bulletins. So the Central and state agencies must get their act together. There is a need for a permanent mechanism to keep tab on all possible dangers.