Date:27/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122760730700.htm

Tamil Nadu

Elaborate plan of action to counter emergency situation

S. Vijay Kumar

Well-trained commandos will be established in all districts

CHENNAI: The State police have chalked out an elaborate plan of action to counter emergency situations, particularly terrorist attacks in Tamil Nadu. To start with, well-trained commandos will be established in all districts.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) T. Rajendran said the Tamil Nadu Commando Force would impart intensive training to a team of 30 police personnel handpicked from each district. “They will be exposed to modern weaponry, sophisticated gadgets and advanced communication systems. The objective is that these commandos will be able to reach any scene of disturbance within a short time and begin damage control measures till the arrival of Special Forces,” he told The Hindu here on Friday.

The police were in the process of identifying vulnerable areas, including shopping malls and places of worship, where there could be a possible attack. “The commandos will be taken to such locations to get them familiarised with the topography as well as the agencies that run the establishments. Besides having a copy of the building plan, we also intend to have a three-dimensional miniature replica of the structure which will help in knowing the exact entry/exit routes among other vital inputs.”

Mr. Rajendran said this exercise would commence in major towns across the State soon after the training programme was over. “The process has been set in motion under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police (Operations) N. Tamil Selvan,” he said.

The first contingent of 300 commandos of the National Security Guards will arrive in Chennai by March. According to police sources, the NSG headquarters had indicated the requirement of about 1,500 acres to set up the hub in Tamil Nadu. A 900-acre site belonging to the Central government was identified near Red Hills on the city outskirts for the purpose.

“Their requirement is 1,500 acres and proximity to the airport. If no site is found suitable in Chennai, we are considering having a permanent establishment of the NSG hub in Tiruchi,” a senior police official said.

A couple of flyovers in Chennai have come under the scrutiny agencies in view of their proximity to vital establishments.

Police are formulating precautionary measures on the Anna flyover in the city that is close to the US Consulate and another flyover that runs parallel to the airport.

“We are examining the possibility of raising the side-walls along the vulnerable stretch to prevent visibility,” the official added.