'Make 3 industrial hubs notified area'

'Make 3 industrial hubs notified area'
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Concerned about security in the wake of ghastly terror attacks in Mumbai, industries in Bangalore, especially IT and BT firms, on Saturday urged the State government to give a notified area tag to Electronic City, Whitefield and Peenya Industrial Area.


“We have asked the chief minister to declare these three places as notified area, to build confidence among entrepreneurs. The notified area should have controlled access and outsiders will not be allowed inside without a specific reason,” Infosys Director (Human Resources) T V Mohandas Pai told reporters.

He was speaking after attending a high-level meeting convened by CM B S Yeddyurappa with his Cabinet colleagues, top police officials and representatives of industries, to discuss steps to be taken to beef up internal security.

“People are apprehensive after the Mumbai attack. Moreover, business is suffering. Businessmen are refusing to come to Bangalore. There has been heavy cancellation of business meetings. We do not mind paying more tax, but provide us adequate security,” Pai further said, adding that the CM has responded positively to the request in this regard.

‘Amend Arms Act’

Earlier in the meeting, Pai said, amendment should be brought to the Arms Act and allow corporate companies to buy sophisticated weapons if the Government cannot ensure security. Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon Limited Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “The security personnel in private companies cannot face terrorists who are armed with AK-47s.”

She was reacting to the CM’s statement in his opening remarks that not only the Government, but corporate companies should also step up their internal security. “Assurances and promises will not do anymore. It is the time to act. We need military patrolling on Bangalore roads. We need crack squad and anti-terrorist squad to deal firmly with terrorists,” she stated.

It is the fundamental duty of the Government to ensure security. The Government need to invest heavily on security.

“Bangalore is not at all prepared to face a Mumbai-like attack. It was due to lack of preparedness in Mumbai, there was heavy casualty,” she pointed out. Briefing the media after the meeting, Yeddyurappa said, the Government is taking all steps to ensure that a Mumbai-like incident does not occur in the State. He further said, all suggestions given by industries will be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa held a separate meeting with some of his Cabinet colleagues including RDPR Minister Shobha Karandlaje, IT and BT Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, Labour Minister Bache Gowda, Industries Minister Murgesh Nirani and Minister for Municipal Administration S Suresh Kumar at his home office Krishna.
The CM is learnt to have directed his ministers to take all necessary steps to ensure safety to people.

Chief Minister’S TIPS

*Strengthen private security
*Provide special training to private security guards
*Install metal detector at the entrance
*Install luggage screening device
*Install CCTVs
*Verify passports of foreigners and keep a watch on their movement
*Provide necessary information to police

SUGGESTIONS

*Co-ordination between State police and companies’ private security in patrolling
*Set-up a rapid action force to face any eventuality
*Effective sharing of information between police and private companies
*Training to private security guards by police
*Collect more tax and give adequate security