HVK Archives: Is Dawood searching for a safe haven in Orissa?
Is Dawood searching for a safe haven in Orissa? - The Observer
Imran Khan
()
28 August 1997
Title: Is Dawood searching for a safe haven in Orissa?
Author: Imran Khan
Publication: The Observer
Date: August 28, 1997
Is the notorious mafia don Dawood Ibrahim searching for a safe haven on the
peaceful Orissa coast for his gang - is a question that has been worrying
the state officials for some time now.
Highly-placed sources said that they had information of the gang's
activities by officials responsible for coast surveillance. This issue
cropped up on Tuesday at a routine meeting of the Home Department officials
and Coastal District Administration for reviewing the law and order
situation in the state.
Home Department sources said that the state Home Secretary had directed the
officials to start intensive surveillance on the coast and keep close watch
on the movements of some persons. Security is being beefed up at many
supposedly vulnerable spots.
"The distract administration and the intelligence network have been alerted
in view of the possible threat," said a highly placed officer.
Surveillance measures in the coastal Orissa districts of Puri, Bhubaneswar,
Balasore and Paradip are to be intensified. Sources said that this
decision followed hints about the gang's plan to bomb some vital government
buildings and historic places at Konark, Puri and Bhubaneswar.
Talking to The Observer of Business and Politics, state additional home
secretary Lok Nath Mishra said, "We are taking serious note of this story.
After all, it has some significance." Referring to the possible threat by
Dawood's men, Mishra said that this could not be dismissed. "The
government is alert and aware about it," he added.
He however said that as far as the gang's activities were concerned, "We
have yet to notice any such activity on the Orissa coast." Orissa's
coastline is the most peaceful in the country. Taking advantage of this,
smugglers have set their eyes here.
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