Cultural programme at Somnath temple deferred amid terror threat

Ahmedabad: In view of the terror threat across Gujarat, the Gir-Somnath district administration has decided to postpone a cultural event scheduled in the famous Somnath temple premises for the Maha Shivrati festival tomorrow.

Confirming the developments, Gir-Somnath District Collector Ajay Kumar said that the decision has been taken for the safety of citizens amid reports of a possible terror strike in Gujarat, including at Somnath temple.

"The cultural programme was scheduled to be held in Somnath temple premises today and tomorrow. However, we have decided to postpone it looking at terror alert given by police. We will announce the new dates later," he said.

Among other leaders, local MLA and state Civil Aviation Minister Jasa Barad was also scheduled to attend the programme, he said.

"Barad was among the dignitaries invited for the programme. Since a large number of people were expected to come to the cultural event, it may have caused security problem for the police. Thus, the event is cancelled as of now. It will be organised afterwards," the Collector said.

State DGP PC Thakur had earlier announced that out of four teams of NSG which arrived in Gujarat yesterday, one has been sent to Somnath to beef-up security. At present, a large number of local policemen as well as from the State Reserve Police (SRP) have been deployed in and outside the famous temple.

"After the terror alert was sounded, we have deployed more than 250 police personnel at the Somnath temple. We have formed different teams to check all kinds of movements near the temple," Gir-Somnath's Superintendent of Police (SP) A M Muniya said.