Coimbatore: Close on the heels of the threat by an accused on the life of Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit the city on Aug 1, another accused threatened on July 29 that "Coimbatoreans have to possibly witness the repeat of Feb 14".

On February 14, 1998, serial blasts rocked the city and suburbs, claiming 58 lives, during the visit of BJP (Bharatiya Janata party) leader and present Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani for electioneering.

The accused, while coming out of a fast track court, which pronounced life sentence on him in a case related to a murder, reportedly said that Modi or whoever it may be, the city possibly "had to witness another Feb 14", police said.

He also reportedly said that Modi will not be allowed to enter the city and if he or for that matter, any other leader, would be "eliminated" if they landed in Coimbatore, police said.

Recently, another accused had similarly threatened and he also was reported to have stated that "finishing touches to the attacks on Muslims in Gujarat would be given here on Aug 1".

Considering the situation, police had beefed up security measures and intensified vehicle checks, by erecting nearly 20 check-posts in and around the city.

But undaunted by the threat, the state BJP president and MP, C P Radhakrishnan, had said on July 28 that nothing would prevent Modi from addressing a public meeting on August 1, to mark the arrival of the MP's rath yatra to highlight the achievements of the Vajpayee government.

PTI