Date:26/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122650320100.htm

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60 major units identified for foolproof security

S. Rajendran

10,000 more police personnel to be recruited

Chief Minister, officials to visit Delhi to seek Centre’s support

State to press for granting of approval for three units of India Reserve Battalion

Bangalore: The State Government, in view of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country, has decided to substantially augment the police force — from the present 92 personnel for 1 lakh population to 150 for 1 lakh.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Home Minister V.S. Acharya, accompanied by top officials of the State police, will go to New Delhi in the coming week to impress upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram that Karnataka requires the support of the Centre to substantially augment the strength of the force apart from modernising it.

Meanwhile, the authorities have identified nearly 60 major installations in the State, including major irrigation reservoirs and dams and electricity generating stations which require foolproof security. All major bridges of a length of 500 metres or more, including the Nethravathi bridge, Kali river bridge and the Honnavar bridge will be guarded by the police henceforth. The Government has also decided to extend police protection to major power transmission lines of the Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. and the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. and seven major power grids, including the ones at Somanahalli and Sharavathi.

Dr. Acharya told The Hindu that although the State had prepared an elaborate plan to augment the police force sometime ago, it had now been brought to the fore following the recent terror attacks. The State had also been receiving intelligence inputs from various agencies at the Centre on the steps to be taken in case of some vital installations, particularly in Bangalore. Dr. Acharya said the strength of the police force will be increased by 10,000 personnel in the near future and recruitment process was on to add 2,500 men. The State police has already constituted a nearly 750-strong comprehensive police wing to tackle all aspects of anti-national activities, including terrorism and naxalism. The special force has various components, including a section devoted to intelligence-gathering, preventive measures, a large strike force, and a section to investigate the cases.

Dr. Acharya and Director-General and Inspector-General of Police R. Sri Kumar said the State would also impress upon the Union Government to hasten the process in granting approval for three units of India Reserve Battalion for the State.