Security is your problem, police tell malls

Security is your problem, police tell malls

Esha Chatterjee

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Precaution: A security personnel checking the belongings of a customer at a mall in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Friday was party time in the city. The box-office saw the release of the much hyped movies — “Om Shanti Om” and “Saawariya.” Deepavali celebrations were on in full swing. Shopping malls and theatres were packed.

Festival time is when police nerves are stretched in view of security considerations and now the police have directed malls to ensure safety. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bipin Gopalkrishna told The Hindu that malls had been instructed to frisk all visitors. They had also been asked to look out for any suspicious objects or persons.

“The police told us that terrorist activity escalates during Deepavali, Dasara, Ramzan and Christmas,” said B.G. Uday, managing director of the Garuda Mall.

The Forum, Garuda and Sigma malls have increased the number of security guards, rotating surveillance cameras, metal detectors and initiated a thorough search of vehicles.

Maj. Rajeev Kembhavi, Corporate Head, Mall Development at the Forum, said: “We ask the guards during festivals to be on constant vigil. We also make periodic announcements in the mall asking people to inform us of any suspicious activity or unattended baggage.”

“We have an emergency response team comprising former Army officials and that is an advantage,” said T.G. Vinod, DGM-Mall Operations of Forum. Mall managers say people are generally cooperative. “Public security is more important than the discomfort of being frisked. With terror threats looming large all the time, security is a must,” said Vishnu Janardhan, a college student and a regular Forum visitor.

Visitors at these malls say that there are times when security is not up to the mark. Mihika Shankar said: “Many a time, when I’ve taken my laptop to Forum, they have only asked me what I was carrying in my bag. They’ve never actually opened it to check whether I was really carrying a laptop.”

There are times when visitors feel security measures are excessive. Romea Promodh said that the safety net at Garuda Mall had spoilt its look.

Mr. Uday had this to say: “Sometimes, customers get impatient with the extensive security measures. We understand that they expect to have a good time. We would like to provide them with that, but not at the cost of their security.”