Tight police security at Batu Caves for Thaipusam

SHAH ALAM: Selangor police have assured the people of the highest level of security during the Thaipusam festival at the Batu Caves temple grounds on Sunday.
Bernama quoted state police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat as saying yesterday the police started tightening security there last Friday.
Thaipusam at Batu Caves draws more than a million devotees and visitors from the country and abroad annually.
Speaking to reporters after the monthly assembly at the state police headquarters here, he said the people need not worry about security there during the festival.
He added the enforcement of additional security measures followed the directive from Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar for the security alert to be at the highest level at public places following the militant attack at a Jakarta mall last Thursday.
"The Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves is on the tourism calendar of the country and we always give attention to security at this public place.
"We have taken into account all factors to determine the strength of our force to be deployed there to face any eventuality," he said.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, S Tamarai Chelvi reports that the the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devastanam, which manages Batu Caves temple, has appointed two security guard firms to safeguard important areas.
"For this year, we have engaged two security firms," said temple chairman Tan Sri R.Nadarajah at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple headquarters, on Tuesday. "Security guards in uniforms will protect certain areas in Batu Caves."
Nadarajah said police will have more than 2,000 personnel in place, this year.
Usually about 1,500 policemen will be stationed but this year there will be extra personnel.
He also cautioned the public not to spread rumours in social media or listen to rumours.
He said that if they suspect anyone (on Thaipusam day) behaving suspiciously then inform the temple office or police station.