Mumbai still lacks security; experts bat for better anti-terror set-up

Twenty years after the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, police and security experts on Tuesday said while the security apparatus in the city had improved, much still needed to be done, as India's financial capital continued to be on the terror radar.

"Today, the situation has completely changed from what it was 20 years ago. After the 1993 serial blasts, especially the 26/11 terror attack, the Central and state governments have upgraded the intelligence collection system, especially electronic intelligence. They are far better from what we had in 1992-93," R D Tyagi, former police commissioner of Greater Mumbai told Business Standard.

Tyagi also acknowledged the government's initiatives to set up National Security Guard (NSG) hubs, the launch of the National Intelligence Agency and the commissioning of the intelligence grid. Besides, he said, the Maharashtra government had also formed the Anti-Terrorism Squad, which collected intelligence and was also involved actively in foiling terror attempts.

However, Tyagi, who retired as the NSG director-general, said there were certain modules of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), which had been created in almost all states and were carrying out bomb blasts in different parts.

Chandra Iyengar, former IAS officer, who retired as additional chief secretary, state home department, made a strong case for upgrading the intelligence and anti-terrorist set up in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra. "This can be done through technology innovations and also by recruitment of personnel and their periodical training. But, the government will have to earmark necessary funds in the Budget."

A senior minister, who did not want to be identified, said security agencies would have to step up intelligence gathering from various sections of people by building up good rapport. "Terror outfits like the IM are using local help to carry out blasts. This was evident in the recent Pune bomb blast that took place on August 1 last year," the minister said.

Tyagi and leading public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam argued that an anti-terror law with stringent provisions would come in handy in dealing with terrorism. "A strong anti-terror act will help security agencies to strike at the roots of terror," Nikam said.

Nikam, who is the special government counsel in the 1993 bomb blasts case, said terrorists were using new techniques, based on scientific innovation, to hide their identity while carrying out attacks. Intelligence and security agencies will have to step up their efforts to nab the culprits amid these challenges.

On March 12, 1993, 13 bomb explosions ripped through Mumbai, killing 257 and injuring 713. Security agencies are yet to apprehend the conspirators, including Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon.