Speaking at the induction of the industrial security force into the Electronics City Industrial Estate here, RK Mishra, IGP, CISF (West Zone) said that initially CISF would guard 450 acres coming under phase one of the IT hub. Later, the security cover would be extended to phase two.

“The IT sector, along with power, petrochemicals and major port sectors, has been prioritised for CISF security by the Central Government after the parliament paved the way for providing protection from the force to private and cooperative establishments on February 25, 2009. We will work closely with the local police in manning the area and supplementing their efforts at all times. The police will mainly look after law and order while we will respond during an emergency,” Mishra told Deccan Herald.

A total of 68 CISF personnel have been deployed for the task. Three jeeps and motorcycles will patrol the area. Besides, three Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will be positioned. Mishra, however, conceded that guarding an open and unrestricted area like Electronics City would be a “big challenge”.

Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), which is maintaining the industrial estate since 1997, will bear the expenditure of the CISF deployment.

It has already borne the capital expenditure such as procuring weapons, patrolling vehicles and arranging accommodation for the personnel. Later, it will pay for the their food and salaries.

Corporate giants like Infosys, Wipro, Siemens, Deutsche Bank and others will benefit from the deployment. On July 31, 2009, Infosys Technologies had become the first private company to get CISF cover.