Lashkar bid to attack World Cup final posing as scribes averted

NEW DELHI: Barely a week before the cricketWorld Cup final match in Mumbai, a foreign intelligence agency had alerted India stating that the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had managed to get forged passes and fake identity cards — issued to journalists and corporate sponsors — for the title clash at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2. 

The alert had prompted the Union home ministry to send additional paramilitary forces to Mumbai to take additional care while frisking spectators and checking authenticity of passes\identity cards. A number of CISF personnel were deployed at all entry and exit gates in addition to hundreds of Mumbai Police personnel for multiple frisking. 

A senior official here said, "After getting the input that the LeT militants might try to enter the stadium posing as journalists or sponsors, the Centre immediately shared the information withMaharashtra government and other agencies concerned, leading to deployment of additional security forces, including CISF personnel and NSG commandos". 

Subsequently, the home ministry sent an additional secretary-rank officer to Mumbai to review the preparedness of security personnel in view of those inputs that were received last Monday. "Multiple frisking was planned in addition to checking buyers of internet tickets by tracing IP addresses of each and every computer used make the purchase," said the official. 

Sources said, as per security plans, anti-aircraft guns were strategically placed. All air bases near Mumbai, Navy and Coast Guard were put on high alert to ensure security in the air and sea during the match. Quick reaction teams and women personnel of CRPF were also stationed at vital locations in and around the stadium to respond to any exigency, they added.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Lashkar-bid-to-attack-World-Cup-final-posing-as-scribes-averted/articleshow/7870784.cms

TC MP questioned at IGI airport for carrying Rs 57 lakh

NEW DELHI: A Trinamool Congress MP was stopped at the Indira Gandhi International airport here after he was found carrying Rs 57 lakh but was later allowed to go after he informed authorities that the money belonged to his company, sources said here today. 

Kanwar Deep Singh, the Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand and owner of Alchemist Group, was stopped after CISF officials found that he was carrying a large amount of money, the sources said. He was on his way to Guwahati. 

The CISF officials informed Air Intelligence Unit of the Income Tax department, who found that he was carrying Rs 57 lakh, they said. He was accompanied by seven others in a private plane. 

Sources said Singh was allowed to go after questioning after he informed the officials that the money belonged to his company. 

Airport officials have stepped up checking after the Bureau of Civil Aviation has instructed them to keep a strict vigil on movement of cash in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. Incidentally, Singh was on way to election-bound Assam. 

The Alchemist Group comprises 11 companies in various sectors such as food processing, health care, hospitality, food and beverages, steel, real estate and infrastructure development. 

Reacting to the development, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said her party has demanded that the government should take notice of this and file a criminal case against him and take required action.

"This is the immorality of Trinamool. If they can do it in Assam, where they have no presence, you can imagine what they are going to be doing in Bengal. It is a shameful thing that has happened," she said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/TC-MP-questioned-at-IGI-airport-for-carrying-Rs-57-lakh/articleshow/7786386.cms