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Anonymous letters warn of blasts in Coimbatore

A Tamil Nadu minister and some top officials of Coimbatore district have received letters warning of plans to set off a series of explosions in the city between February 14 and 16, the police said on Saturday.

According to the police, the anonymous letter received by Environment Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy said a series of explosions would occur in 20 places during the period.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is scheduled to visit the city to inaugurate the Swadeshi Industrial Fair on February 16. Some Union ministers are also likely to accompany Vajpayee.

February 14 is the anniversary of the serial blasts that rocked Coimbatore City and suburbs in 1998 when Lal Kishenchand Advani, then BJP president, was campaigning there. The blasts claimed 58 lives and left more than 250 persons injured.

Identical letters have also been received at the office of the district collector and the Coimbatore municipal commissioner, the sources said.

The letters said some extremists, specially trained in a neighbouring country, had infiltrated the city to create trouble.

A case has been registered at the Singanallur police station and the matter is being investigated.

PTI

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