How vulnerable are we to terror attacks?

How vulnerable are we to terror attacks?
Deccan Herald

Post Mumbai blasts, it is time for introspection in IT City. Is the aam janata protected at public spaces? Are Bangaloreans exposed as soft targets for terrorist attacks...

Post Mumbai blasts, it is time for introspection in IT City. Is the aam janata protected at public spaces? Are Bangaloreans exposed as soft targets for terrorist attacks, made vulnerable by the unguarded approach of the authorities concerned ? Deccan Herald does a reality check.

The bustling KSRTC bus station at Majestic could count as one of the possible targets for a terrorist attack. On Sunday morning, the place was teeming with travellers, with a steady flow of people entering and exiting the premises. There were no manual checks, no metal detectors and no sign of security checks.

However, a visit to the Security Officer’s room was reassuring. Four security officers, including a plainclothed policeman, were monitoring public movement from end-to-end of the bus stand using hidden cameras. Six cameras have been discreetly placed at the main gate, the left and right entrances, reservation counter and two busy platforms. Six more cameras will be installed soon, revealed security officer Vasant Kumar. KSRTC has two metal detectors which are used in the luggage counter and cloak room, he added.

“We have beefed up security following the Mumbai attacks. We have installed hidden cameras for constant monitoring. We are in the process of procuring door frame metal detectors which we will install at the bus stand entrance points,” said Bhaskar Rao, Director, Security and Vigilance, KSRTC.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation main bus stand at Majestic has about three lakh visitors everyday, with 4,000 bus trips being made from this bus stand.

However, when it comes to public security, it leaves a lot to be wanted. There are no monitoring cameras and no metal detectors. There are only eight security guards, working in two shifts. A sniffer dog makes an occasional visit. Terrorist combat strategy is reduced to “lathi” policing. According to a BMTC maintenance officer, police supervision is limited to preventing pick-pocketing and thefts. When asked about security against terrorist attacks, he only laughed.

Meanwhile, B S Sandhu, Director, Security and Vigilance, BMTC said they will soon upgrade the security system. “Based on a report made by Central Industrial Security Force, we have called for tenders for procurement of CCTVs, assess controls and metal detectors. We have also deployed 150 home guards to conduct security checks in various bus stands,” he said.

Shopping malls

Bangaloreans’ favourite weekend haunts only have hidden cameras to offer in the name of security. A leading shopping mall was recently a victim of a mob attack, despite having 54 cameras inside its premises. However, malls still count on the CCTV as a solution to security issues. All entry points are monitored by a hidden camera, but none have door frame metal detectors, and people can enter and exit freely. According to a security officer in a major mall, using metal detectors is not a feasible idea as shoppers do not want to stand in queue to enter the mall, nor do they like being frisked.

Most malls have a large number of security personnel, in uniform and in plainclothes, looking out for any suspicious activity. Some are deputed in the generator room, pump room, chiller and A/C room to prevent any damage to electrical circuitry.

According to Mr B N Garudachar of Garuda Mall, “security should not be intrusive, and law and order situations should be dealt with diplomatically”.