Imphal, Aug 25: Places of worship in the North Eastern region are all set to witness enhanced security cover if assurances of the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to shield religious sites are translated into action.

The Union minister, according to an ISKCON devotee Banamali Das, gave the assurance to a team of ISKCON led by its international governing body chief Gopalkrishna Maharaj recently.

speaking to The Sangai Express today, Banamali Das quoted the Maharaj as saying that Shivraj Patil had verbally assured to step up security measures at worship places in the violence ravaged region particularly in Manipur in view of the August 16 terror attack during Janmasthami celebration.

"We have received official intimation of the home minister's verbal assurance to step up security measures to foil any attempt to trigger violent activities", Banamali added.

While five persons died many people including foreign national devotees were injured in the blast at the crowded place.

similar assurance has been received from Padmanabhaiah, interlocutor in the IM peace talk, informed another devotee Ajit Das who is also the president of Imphal Iskcon temple.

On the other hand, the State Government has beefed up security arrangement in connection with the Radha Asthami celebration which falls on September 1.Among the visible security steps include deployment of armed police personnel at the temple premises and construction of fencing wall in the temple complex.

As pre-emptive measure for Radha Asthami, police have written certain guidelines to Iskcon authorities including prohibiting setting up/opening of shops or kiosks on the particular day.

The police prescription also said that media persons possessing camera should obtain permission of Iskcon authorities for coverage of the event.

A number of devotees from across the country are expected to participate.

Meanwhile, Ajit Das informed that ISKCON's International Director Swami Damodara has developed problem in the left ear drum probably due to impact of the explosive.

The injured Damodara is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata.

Bryan Nash of the US who was also injured in the blast has been referred to a hospital at Bangkok, Ajit said adding that at least Nash would have to stay there for about six weeks.