Vidhana Soudha still vulnerable to terrorist strike

Vidhana Soudha still vulnerable to terrorist strike

The Hindu

The Government has not acted upon all recommendations made by security agencies

# Security loopholes Policemen guarding the Vidhana Soudha do not have modern weapons
# They do not have x-ray machines or night vision device
# Multiple entry points to the Vidhana Soudha
# Free access from the adjoining Legislators' Home

BANGALORE: The terrorist attack on the Indian Institute of Science on Wednesday has again brought to the fore the preparedness of the policemen guarding vital installations in countering such a strike.

Despite several warnings by intelligence agencies that terrorists could strike in Bangalore, particularly at the Vidhana Soudha, the State Government has reportedly not taken steps to ensure foolproof security to the building as recommended by the police and Central security agencies.

On July 20, 2005, Commissioner of Police Ajai Kumar Singh made a detailed presentation on the security plan for the Vidhana Soudha at a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh following Central intelligence agency reports that militants are likely to target some of vital installations and centres of political and economic activity in the city.

The Commissioner suggested the need for having a security system modelled on the one for Parliament House, and installation of a watchtower, among other measures, at the Vidhana Soudha. Although six months have passed since these recommendations were made, several of them are yet to be implemented, sources in the State Police told The Hindu .

In the wake of the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001, the Government had announced that security will be tightened at the Vidhana Soudha. But the policemen guarding the building are yet to get sophisticated weapons. They continue to be armed with the antique .303 rifles, and it would be difficult for them to counter terrorists possessing sophisticated weapons such as AK-56 assault rifles, the sources said.

The security personnel at the Vidhana Soudha do not have x-ray machines, mail bomb parcel scanners and night vision devices, which are essential for ensuring foolproof security, the sources said.

After the attack on Parliament, then Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) S.K. Banarjee and then Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Gopal B. Hosur went to Delhi and studied the security system at Parliament House.

Along with the inputs provided by the two officials, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which was hired as a consultant to devise a security system for the Vidhana Soudha, submitted a report to the State Government. According to the sources, the Government has implemented only a few of the recommendations made by the CISF.

Although several offices have started functioning from the newly constructed Vikasa Soudha, the building has not been provided adequate security. The High Court premises is still a thoroughfare for those entering the Cubbon Park and the Vidhana Soudha. Several shops and eateries are located close to the High Court building.

The road in the multi-storeyed building premises has become a thoroughfare since Gopala Gowda Road was closed for traffic. This has become a security hazard, the sources pointed out.

Absence of a perimeter fence, multiple entries to the building, existence of eateries, fruit stalls, banks, an ATM counter and the treasury inside the Vidhana Soudha premises, and free entry and exit to the adjoining Legislators' Home are considered to be major security hazards.

Food is brought from restaurants for dinners hosted in the Vidhana Soudha. Employees of restaurants, who bring food in huge containers, are rarely screened, the sources said.

Other potential targets

A few years ago, after intelligence agencies alerted the State Government that the International Technology Park Limited and the Electronics City, which are located in Bangalore Rural district, are potential terrorist targets, it was decided to bring the two places under the jurisdiction of the city police.

It was planned to create a separate division, comprising mainly the IT belt, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. The proposal is pending clearance with the Finance Department, the sources said.