In the wake of recent terror attacks in Mumbai, the Karnataka Police has upgraded its security system to deal with any such attacks and the state security forces are “well-prepared” to handle any crisis, a senior police officer said today.
“Right now there are four platoons, comprising 120 commandos readily available for the state’s security. These commandos are well-equipped with necessary weapons including AK-47s, sten guns and also bullet-proof jackets,” State Director General of Police R Sreekumar told media after inspecting the drill by commandos belonging to KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police).
Out of these four platoons, one platoon will be deployed for the security of Vidhan Soudha, the state secretariat, this evening, he said.
Besides these, there are more platoons which are engaged in other security tasks in different parts of the state, he said, refusing to disclose the number. Sreekumar said the state police was in constant touch with the three armed forces and the coast guard on a regular basis. The Army will be requisitioned if more commando forces were needed in a crisis-situation, he said. On whether the state police would acquire “more sophisticated weapons”, Sreekumar said “Yes, we will do so, if necessary”. Five coast guard police stations, which have been set up in Mangalore, Malpe, Kumta, Bhatkal and Karwar, will be strengthened in the coming days, he said.
Karnataka police is planning to acquire dingies, boats and other equipment to curb terror threats from the coast, Sreekumar added.
Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of chief ministers immediately to discuss measures to tackle terrorism. In the wake of the Mumbai terror strike, there was need for such discussions, he told reporters after garlanding the statue of former chief minister Kengal Hanumanthayya on the occasion of the leader's 28th death anniversary.
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Hanumanthayya, a former Railway minister, was responsible for constructing the Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat. "Following the successful launch of the unmanned moon mission, Chandrayaan-I, India's achievements have drawn global attention and certain forces have been conspiring to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country," Yeddyurappa charged.
He flayed the Congress demand for convening a Legislature session. "How can the session be called when the Election Commission has announced calendar of events for bypoll ?" he asked. Byelections to seven assembly constituencies are to be held on December 27.