WAKE-UP CALL FOR BANGALORE TOO

WAKE-UP CALL FOR BANGALORE TOO
CM responds to TOI readers
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: In a swift response to our frontpage story ‘10 Things the CM Must Do’ (TOI, Dec. 4), chief minister B S Yeddyurappa took note of readers’ suggestions to tackle terror and initiated action. His secretariat said: “The CM has taken note of the People’s Voice articulated through your newspaper. He expresses his desire to continue these types of efforts so that the administration concerned can take necessary action in public interest.’’
1 Tough terror laws
CM: Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) is currently applicable to organized crimes, etc. Since terrorists come to light mostly for the first time, KCOCA can be applied against terrorists only with certain amendments. A proposal is pending before the government to enable KCOCA to be applied against the persons indulging in terrorist activities.
2 Increase police personnel
CM: The government has agreed in principle to increase the police population ratio from 92 to 150 per lakh population in stages. Over 8,822 police personnel were inducted in the police force in the past year. The recruitment process for another 2,917 civil police is under way.
3. Set up an NSG base in Bangalore
CM: When PM Manmohan Singh came to Bangalore on December 3, an all-party delegation submitted a memorandum seeking an NSG detachment in Bangalore.Land will be made available by the state government.
4. Impart better police training
CM: The training is being upgraded constantly. A new modernized training institute has been sanctioned at Hadagali, Bellary, for which Rs 16.40 crore has been budgeted; Rs 6 crore has already been released and Karnataka State Police Housing corporation has started work on the site.
5. Upgrade weapons of security agencies CM: Karnataka police well stocked with automatic and other modern sophisticated arms and ammunitions and many personnel of Karnataka police trained to handle them. Karnataka police is also using computerized simulators.
6. Provide incentives to security personnel CM: The government has taken a decision to provide one-step promotion to security personnel especially those deployed for duties against terrorists and extremists.
7. Guard entrances and exits of Bangalore CM: Extra forces deployed in Bangalore and other parts to check persons on entry. This checking is being organized keeping an element of surprise in mind.
8. Step up surveillance of transit points CM: Surveillance cameras have been fitted at many traffic junctions and in other vital transit points. Purchase of more cameras is under way. Help of captions of industries is also being taken to include areas around their campuses under common surveillance system.
9. Step us air and sea vigilance CM: Five coastal security police stations are operational along with the Karnataka coast. The central government has been requested to sanction more outposts and checkpoints along the coast.
10. Keep tabs on illegal immigrants CM: Surprise checks are organized to unearth overstaying foreigners. In November 2008, over eight Bangladeshis were taken into custody for overstaying by the Malavalli Pura police station in Mandya district.
State to have a commando force
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to raise a commando force on the lines of the National Security Guards and Rapid Action Force. Other measures are:
Recruit 750 personnel for Internal Security division, which comprises Anti-Terrorist Cell, Anti-Left Wing Extremism, Coastal Security Police and Intelligence Wing.
Scrap 1,500 old vehicles in the police department and buy 500 GPS fitted vehicles. Most of these will be used in Naxalaffected areas and 100 will be utilized for patrol in Bangalore (Hoysala).
Establish three more India Reserve Police battalions at Davanagere, Bijapur and Tumkur at a cost of Rs 17 crore (the first one being raised at Munirabad in Koppal district). This will create 3,951 various jobs. The government would bear 25% of the cost and provide land and seek 75% of the total cost from the Centre.