Date:29/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/29/stories/2008072955200100.htm

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State to strengthen security

Special Correspondent

Meet of Home Department officials, police officers takes stock of the situation

V.S. Achuthanandan says Central aid will be sought to modernise the police.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan said here on Monday that the government would strengthen and enlarge the security set-up in the State in view threats from extremists.

Talking to the media after a high-level conference of Home Department officials and police officers, the Chief Minister said that threats through e-mail and phone calls could not be ignored in view of the incidents in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. “The incidents are being taken as a warning.”

(A person claiming to be an ‘Indian Mujahideen’ operative based in Pakistan had called a television channel in Bangalore on Sunday afternoon and said bombs would go off in public places in Kerala at 7 p.m.)

Mr. Achuthanandan said the State police were capable of dealing with the threat. “It will be on vigil.”

He said the assistance of the Central government would be sought for equipping the police with modern equipment.

He urged the media to avoid exaggeration in their reports. Creation of panic should be avoided. “Let us face the threat with determination.”

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the State police had adequate equipment and trained personnel to deal with the situation. However, the modus operandi of extremists was changing. In Ahmedabad, even a hospital was attacked. So, the State has to be prepared for that. The Chief Minister had told the police officers to submit a proposal for seeking assistance from the Centre for acquiring equipment.

The State already has trained personnel for disposal of bombs and similar tasks. But its dog squad needs to be strengthened. Steps are being taken in this direction.

He said the State police were liaising with the Intelligence Bureau and the police in southern States. A message from the Centre advising the State to be careful was received on Monday. As of now, there is no threat perception. The government was receiving frivolous messages about impending attacks.