Army feels Bangalore is particularly vulnerable

Army feels Bangalore is particularly vulnerable

The Hindu

State needs better response system, says official

Bangalore: Major General B. Shivashankar, General Officer Commanding, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area, said here on Friday that the recent terrorist attack on innocent persons and civilian installations had exposed the vulnerability of Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka.

Addressing the Civil-Military Liaison Conference, Maj. Gen. Shivashankar said: "Bangalore is particularly vulnerable because it has several Defence establishments and the fact that it has a large migrant population, presence of foreigners and students from disturbed areas of the country." A few fundamental and communal organisations operated here. The criminal-communal nexus too needed to be watched. "Since the city and some other parts of the State house a number of sensitive military establishments, there is need to constantly review and upgradation of security measures," he said. The growing threat can only be countered through concerted action at several fronts and there is urgent need to evolve and develop disaster management systems to deal with natural and man-made disasters, Maj. Gen. Shivashankar said.

Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said: "The recent murder of a business process outsourcing firm employee and the terrorist attack are pointers to the fact that even after great vigilance and precaution, untoward incidents can occur."

Additional Chief Secretary to State Government Malathi Das and Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area Commander M.K.G. Menon were among the officials who attended the conference.