Security up at Hampi after Pune explosion

Move follows concerns over safety of foreign visitors in tourist hot spot

The police presence at popular tourist destination Hampi has been bolstered in the wake of the German Bakery blast in Pune on Saturday that left 11 dead.

With Union Tourism Minister Selja Kumari confirming during a recent visit to the city that winter saw a 0.9 per cent increase in foreign tourists this year, the authorities do not want to take any risks.

Mallikarjunayya, a local guide from Hampi, told MiD DAY, "In many parts of Europe, people work for six months and for the following six months they travel to Asia and Africa to escape the cold. Hampi is one among their favourite destinations.

No wonder the security has been increased following the Pune blast."

Both Karnataka tourism, which has its own guards called Green Security and Security Intelligence Service run by the Archeology Survey of India have deployed additional personnel at Hampi since the Pune Blast.

Now after the blast in Pune, more policemen can be seen on the street.

Karnataka Inspector General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh refused to confirm if any detentions were made in connection with the Pune blast.

Hampi is the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city.