This refers to the news item “Accused: Terrorist in Puri monitored train arson” in The Pioneer on November 19. It is revealed by Ramachandran, one of the accused in setting fire to three express trains in Puri that the Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri along with some other sensitive places of Odisha is under terrorist target. The statement of the accused may, of course, be verified carefully after his detailed narration. But the possibility of terrorist strikes on Shree Jagannath cannot be ruled out since there are intelligence inputs of threat to the temple. To foil and frustrate the expected terrorist attacks, the State Government must be well-prepared in enforcing and intensifying intelligence operation and constant surveillance. As stated by Ramachandran, a high-pitch conspiracy had been orchestrated in Kolkata to carry out the nefarious design and inflict destruction and violence in Odisha. It is also a fact that no terrorist blast and strike can be possibly executed without cooperation and collaboration of native nationals, who tempted and lured by large amounts of money are indulging in antinational activities. It is time the State Government remained highly alert with well-trained police forces provided with sophisticated arms and ammunitions to meet any eventuality. Cooperation of the people of the State and the country as a whole is also absolutely necessary to avert any anticipated terrorist design.
Nimai Charan Swain, Nilakantheswar Marg, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar