The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A dicey situation indeed Law and order

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Saturday, May 10, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A dicey situation indeed Law and order

Even after major terror attacks, neither the city police nor Cyberabad unit have formed teams to keep a tab on terrorist modules, writes Marri Ramu

It is almost a year since terrorists struck at Mecca ‘masjid’ snuffing out nine lives and leaving a permanent scar on the otherwise peaceful city.

With clear leads about the organisation and the persons behind the attack available, the CBI might soon take the case to its logical end. But, have the Government wings learnt anything from the attack and developed a disaster management strategy to de al with such incident in future?

Even as a lot was said about the security precautions to be taken at public places after the bomb explosion at Mecca Masjid on May 18, terrorists struck yet another blow on August 25 by triggering near simultaneous blasts. Though measures like installation of door frame metal detectors at crowded places were introduced, doubts remain whether the administration in the State capital is geared up to tackle such eventuality.

Recently, employees of a software company located in a high-rise building on Somajiguda main road received bomb threat calls on their office phone. Some occupants of the complex complained that police started searches without disconnecting power supply to the main building.

While terrorist organisations are using latest technology for executing their plans, the police are far behind even in basic communication facilities. The situation in localities coming under Cyberabad police commissionerate is a classic example. Telephone calls made to police toll-free number 100 from these areas do not reach Cyberabad police control but are routed to Hyderabad control room!

Despite repeated complaints from the citizens, none is bothered to set things right. Formation of a unified command centre, which would act as the nodal agency to co-ordinate rescue operations, was suggested earlier. If any major incident -- a fire disaster or a terrorist strike -- is reported, a designated officer would take control of the centre assigning the jobs to different wings.

Traffic police would focus on clearing the trunk routes to shift the injured, special forces would take control of the spots to check further attacks, scientific experts would examine the area collecting crucial evidence and dedicated wings would focus on persons behind the attacks. All this needs some exercise and trial runs. But the ideas remain on paper.

Even several months after two major terrorist attacks, neither the city police nor their counterparts in Cyberabad have formed specialised teams to keep tab on terrorist modules. They still depend on counter intelligence units for collecting information. There is every possibility that terrorists take advantage of such situation, once again.

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