Security tightened along Rajasthan border amid espionage concerns; SMS Stadium gets bomb threat
Jaipur, May 14 (PTI): Amid concerns of espionage, the Rajasthan administration has intensified security measures along the India-Pakistan border, with authorities in Jaisalmer and Sri Ganganagar banning the use of Pakistani SIM cards.
According to officials, Pakistan has recently increased the range of mobile towers near the border, prompting fears of unauthorised communication and surveillance.
Meanwhile, Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium once again received a bomb threat on Wednesday. Besides, three district administration offices in Baran, Alwar and Pratapgarh also received bomb threat mail.
"The use of Pakistani SIMs has been strictly prohibited in border districts to prevent any breach of security," said Jaisalmer Collector Pratap Singh said on Wednesday.
A similar order has been issued by the Sri Ganganagar district collector.
Security has been tightened in villages within 50 km of the international border, with restrictions on the movement of outsiders. The Border Security Force (BSF) and local police are maintaining high alert in sensitive areas.
BSF Deputy Commandant (Intelligence) Mahesh Chandra Jat held a training session for common people about drone activity. During the interaction, he warned of a possible increase in drone activity from across the border.
"We must remain prepared at all times. The public should understand how drones operate and the potential threats they pose," he said.
The Union Home Ministry has identified Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, and Ajmer, along with border districts such as Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Ganganagar, and Jodhpur, as sensitive in view of possible air strikes.
According to the guidelines issued by the Directorate of Civil Defence, instructions have been given to install electric sirens at key locations in these areas, which will be operated from a centralised control room.
In another development, Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium once again received a bomb threat. A similar threat was received by the Pratapgarh, Baran and Alwar district administrations through email.
The threat, sent via email to the Sports Council building, also mentioned the SMS Hospital as a potential target. Police have increased security at the stadium and are tracing the sender with the help of cyber experts.
Meanwhile, life is returning to normal in the border regions. Markets in the affected districts reopened on Tuesday, and routine activities resumed.
Flight operations have also resumed in the state. All three airports in Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh (Ajmer) became operational.
On Wednesday, a private operator resumed services from Kishangarh to six cities, including Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Hindon, Nanded, and Bengaluru.
"Flight service by a private operator has been resumed from the airport," said Airport Director B L Meena, adding that IndiGo flights from Bikaner are scheduled to start on Thursday.
Protests have started in Rajasthan against Turkiye. Marble traders in Udaipur have announced that they will not buy marble from Turkiye, which supported Pakistan during the conflict with India.
Udaipur Marble Traders' Association president Pankaj Gangawat said, "The decision has been taken in protest against the support being given by Turkiye to Pakistan."
He said that the association demands the government to ban marble trade and tourism with Turkiye.
Meanwhile, the education department has announced fresh exam guidelines following disruptions in border districts due to the India-Pakistan conflict.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
