To deal with threat rumours, City turns into fortress

The City has turned into virual fortress after police stepped up efforts to tackle potential threats to the North-Eastern community in Bangalore.

The ramped up security comes in the wake of threats issued to the community, which allegedly demanded that they leave Bangalore before the end of Ramzan, which is on Monday.

Some 17,000 Bangalore City Police officers, excluding an unspecified number of traffic policemen will conduct ‘bandobust’ (security) patrols across City.

Three battalions from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are also on the ground. Together, these forces boost the massive number of security forces already deployed in the City, including 25 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), 35 of the Central Armed Reserve (CAR), some 1,500 trainees and 600 home guards.

T Suneel Kumar, Additional Commissioner (Law and Order), told Deccan Herald that certain areas were identified as potential hotspots after inputs from North-Easterners. Additional precautions will be taken in these areas. Roadblocks will also be set up, he said.

City Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji said plainclothes officers in specially-leased private vehicles will patrol the areas. The department has also hired thousands of cameras to keep vigil. Traffic cameras have also been diverted for the purpose.
“We will use these cameras to keep a close watch for any mischief in the City.  Miscreants who attempt to create problems will be booked under Section 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for inciting enmity between two communities,” he said.

Four men were arrested on Friday night by Audgodi Police for threatening Shiyeto Watsa, a Nagaland native who currently resides in Shastri Nagar. The arrested, identified as Imran, Imaran Pasha, Jaffer and Nazeer, had allegedly told Watsa that he would be killed if he did not leave the City by Monday. With these latest arrests, the number of cases filed by North-Easterners complaining of assault or intimidation has reached 16. The number of arrests made in connection with these cases has reached 20.

The police crackdowns have eased fears among the North-Eastern community. Obed Haokip, chairperson, North-East Forum, told Deccan Herald that while the efforts have calmed apprehensions, there was a permanent dent made in people’s confidence.

“The mood in the community is much more relaxed now, though many are still apprehensive. Personally I feel that the police and the government have taken adequate measures both in terms of security and also when it comes to promoting interaction and harmony between the two communities. If this week passes without any untoward incidents, I think the situation will calm down. But a permanent scar has been made within the mind of the community which will be difficult to heal,” he said.