Date:12/10/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/10/12/stories/2003101211490300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Explosives training for Cyberabad police

By Marri Ramu

Hyderabad Oct. 11. After training in telephone etiquette and courteous behaviour with complainants coming to police stations, it is time for coaching in detection of explosives for the Cyberabad police.

Having perceived serious security threats to VIPs following the claymore mine attack on the Chief Minister at Tirupati, the Cyberabad police have embarked upon a programme to train their men and officers in detection and diffusion of explosives. "The coming Afro-Asian games also require greater and fool-proof security arrangements and drove us to take up this coaching," said Cyberabad Police Commissioner, M. Mahender Reddy.

For this, experts in anti-sabotage check and detection of explosives were being called to explain the basics and intricacies of security arrangements. Initially, staff of the rank of Sub-Inspector and above will undergo the training. Subsequently, the entire force of the Cyberabad police would be covered in the module. "Though the latest recruits are well informed of such technicalities, the senior members of the force are not familiar with the subject," remarked Mr. Reddy.

While some of the trainers belonged to the Cyberabad police, others were from various parts of the State and wing of the Police Department like the City Security Wing. The module will cover the issues like how to detect Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The senior constables may not be aware of what to look out in VIP security and how they can prevent suspicious characters from coming close to VIPs. "For example, the assailants may choose tiffin boxes to carry explosives. Our module will teach them how to respond during the crisis," he explained.

The curriculum includes special classes on defusing bombs. "While country-made bombs can be defused easily, the defusing of IEDs requires expertise. Sometimes pulling wires without basic knowledge as to which is positive and negative wires may trigger the explosion," a security expert observed. Referring to the claymore mine attack on the CM, the specialist opined that unless one had the idea about triggering mechanism, chain of detonation, detonators, containers and power source, one would not be able to suspect the possibility of an attack.

The Cyberabad Commissioner felt that such training might help in minimising security risks.