Date:09/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/09/stories/2008080954770600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Police plump for better security gadgets

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The State police have decided to face the increasing terror threats by procuring more and better security gadgets to identify and defuse explosives at crowded places.

In the wake of recent terror strikes at Bangalore and Ahmedabad cities and the threat from self-styled Indian Mujahideen that it would target the Hyderabad police, the police department wrote to the Centre seeking funds for a comprehensive security package. The police would get more number of crucial security equipments if the package was sanctioned, Additional Director-General of Police A.K. Khan told The Hindu on Friday.

The gadgets include Explosive Vapour Detectors, Bomb Disposal Suits and under carriage surveillance units. A high-level official team, during its recent trip, examined different types of security systems that help police identify explosives planted at crowded places.

Funds for the security package were sought under the modernisation of police force and mega policing projects. Hyderabad was among the seven mega cities in the country selected for funds under mega policing project. Purchasing EVDs – which were used all these days only during VVIP movements – became necessary in the wake of increased threat perception though each unit costs about Rs. 18 lakhs.