BHOPAL: Sensing trouble from communal elements, cops were deployed to guard prominent statues and sculptures in the city on Friday. Armed cops were stationed at Kamlapati Ghat where the new statue of queen Kamlapati has been put up. Besides cops were also seen on VIP road guarding the statue of Raja Bhoj at Upper Lake. The administration swung into action over intelligence reports that religious monuments and heritage sites may be targetted by anti-social elements to trigger communal tension, said sources.
To foil any such attempts, the cops were deployed to guard the statues. On Fridays, police personnel were seen at Queen Kamlapati ghat and at VIP road. The security near these sites will be stepped up from Saturday and cops will step up vigil and patrolling near the religious sites as well. Additional superintendent of police (ASP) Zone 3 Manu Vyas said the heritage sites remain crowded throughout the day and till late night. We have received information that these sites may be targeted and to avert any such attempt, we have deployed our men there. In wake of Lok Sabha polls, all sites in Bhopal with heritage links will be on our priority list for deployment of police personnel, said the ASP.