Threat letter to blow up 15 Mumbai landmarks

Security has been beefed up at all suburban stations since past one week following the a letter warning of a plot to blow up 15 landmark places, including stations, in the city. In the letter received by the Churchgate station master on November 12, it was mentioned that key spots like Churchgate, CST and Dadar stations will be blown up on November 14 and November 28.

The letter, in broken Hindi, was sealed in an envelope and was sent from Kanyakumari by ordinary post. The target places mentioned also included Hotel Taj, Hotel Oberoi, Mantralaya and Bombay Stock Exchange.

After reading the letter, the station master passed on the letter to Churchgate railway police station for further action, and it was handed over in turn to ATS by Mumbai railway police commissioner TA Chavan.

An officer of Mumbai railway police on the condition of anonymity said that after receiving the letter, the railway police with the help of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have intensified the patrolling at all the stations. The police personnel have thoroughly checked the station masters offices, railway canteens, booking offices and toilets with the help of sniffer dogs and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad personnel.

He also appealed to the commuters not to touch any unclaimed article lying on the train or station premises; and should immediately inform the Government Railway police or RPF personnel patrolling the station.