Agartala: Last Wednesday's serial blasts did not cast a shadow on the festive spirit of the people with thousands thronging Durga Puja pandals in the Tripura state capital.

About 300 well-decorated puja pandals have been erected in the state capital alone. Craftsmen from the state and Kolkata toiled hard to showcase their skill in the pandals.

The people of the town thronged the pandals defying the bomb scare as the state Home department threw a thick security blanket in the town to make the puja violence-free.

Altogether 22000 security personnel, including state police and Tripura State Rifles, were deployed in the town and check gates with metal detectors were set up before the major pandals.

Patrolling was also intensified in the hilly and insurgency-hit areas.

Five years ago, an insurgent outfit of the hilly region had threatened puja organisers of dire consequences if they perfomed pujas.

Meanwhile, seven persons were arrested in connection with the serial blasts, the police said adding that no definite clue could be found behind the blasts.
Source : PTI