Police tighten security in city after Lanka blasts

In the wake of the deadly terror strikes in neighbouring Sri Lanka that killed at least 250 people and left several injured, security in Bengaluru is being reviewed and tightened.

City police on Thursday convened a meeting with representatives and management of religious places, star hotels, malls and other crowded areas, instructing them to enhance security measures and keep a vigil to avert untoward incidents.

City police chief T Suneel Kumar instructed them to not only install surveillance cameras, but also put up security checkpoints for frisking, and scanning of baggage as per Karnataka Public Safety Act of 2007.

The meeting that went on for an hour with over 300 participants concluded that CCTV cameras are a must where there is a footfall of 500 people a day.

“Police cannot be present everywhere. Alert citizens should act as eyes and ears of the police to help maintain law and order,” Suneel Kumar told reporters. Representatives and managements of organisations should be in touch with their respective jurisdictional police to seek guidance on security measures and should inform the police about suspicious activities in and around their establishments.

At hotels and lodges, the management should keep vigil over their customers or guests from whom they should collect copies of ID proofs and address proofs before offering accommodation, Kumar said.

Installation of door frame metal detectors (DFMD) and security personnel operating handheld metal detectors at entry points of commercial establishments that have a large footfall would be an advantage, the police chief reiterated.

Kumar, before conducting the public meeting, briefed his subordinates of two zones in the city that have seven police divisions including Whitefield to educate and instruct on foolproof security measures at malls and star hotels, though, they are already present and functioning.

However, the city police were vague about physical security checks at religious places like temples, mosques and churches, but insisted on having CCTV. “If need be, representatives from religious institutions can keep a watch on suspicious movements of people and subject them to checks,” the commissioner said.

Patrolling and criminal intelligence networking have been activated to collect information on suspicious movements in the city. Patrolling staff have been instructed to conduct security checks at sensitive places and keep an eye on the entry and exit points of the city.