The IB has pointed out in its analysis the potential vulnerable areas and states that could witness a communal backlash.
Intelligence sources said the festive season in any case has always been a “high-risk zone” and now that it will be closely followed by Assembly elections in four major states with the Lok Sabha elections close on its heels, the security needs to be beefed up considerably.
Sources said the IB has stressed upon the need for strengthening the security at the local police station-level during the coming months starting October 1.
Among the vulnerable states identified by the IB are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu. Incidentally, Muzaffarnagar in UP continues to remain on the list of “sensitive districts”.
The intelligence report will be shared and discussed at length with state representatives at the Integration Council meeting. The agency, in its assessment report, has pointed out a series of preventive measures, including beefing up the strength of “every police station in each of the sensitive districts”. Reserve battalions should be posted near these areas that can be rushed for reinforcements at a short notice. It has also been suggested that the special branches of the state police should deploy more men on the ground to report even the slightest hint of a communal riot. The intelligence agency has stressed, sources added, on the need for the states to be “adequately prepared to face both communal tension as well as a terror attack as the country now enters a critical phase”. “Security in any case is beefed up across the country during the festive season. But now that political activity will gain momentum simultaneously we need to sensitise the states accordingly. And not just the states, the Central police forces will also be put on alert,” a security official remarked.