Security beefed up for foreigners

Extra patrol vans and policemen deployed in areas with high expatriate population and restaurants and hotels in SoBo frequented by foreigners

Osama bin Laden's killing in Pakistan prompted the Mumbai Police to intensify security to ensure the safety of foreigners in the city yesterday. A security cover was thrown around areas where a high percentage of the population comprises expatriates as well as restaurants and hotels frequented by them.


Not taking chances: Security has been beefed up at Cafe Leopold,
a hangout favoured by foreign tourists. Pic/Sameer Markande

Policemen in plainclothes joined their colleagues in uniform to keep a tab on suspicious activities in such areas and a large number of extra patrol vans were also deployed. Security was also intensified around places in Colaba, like Cafe Leopold, Cafe Mondegar and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which are frequented by foreigners.

"The dreaded terrorist is dead and people all over the world are breathing a sigh of relief, but we have to be on guard lest criminal elements seek to avenge the al Qaeda chief's death. Security has been intensified in our jurisdiction, especially around places like the Taj Hotel and Cafe Leopold," said a senior official from the Colaba police.

Advisory
The US Department of State, meanwhile, issued a travel advisory for Americans yesterday. It alerted its citizens "travelling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan".

It also asked its citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Similar warnings have been issued by Australia and New Zealand as well.

Commentary
The news of the al Qaeda chief's killing gave rise to a number of social networking pages celebrating his death. Here's a sample of some comments: "Hope you burn in HELL for all the pain you have caused"

"Well..,I won't be boarding any planes any time soon. Happy he is dead and the world has one terrorist less now but nervous for the uproar that isu00a0 to come"