Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Wake-up call for malls, theatres too city Pulse

— Photo: M. Vedhan

INCREASED VIGIL: A security personnel checking the handbag of a visitor to Spencer Plaza.

CHENNAI: Malls, theatres and shopping complexes in the city have stepped up security measures. Baggage checks and frisking with metal detectors have become more common.

Prakash Thakurdas, a member of the association of shop owners at Spencer Plaza, said that the recent terror attack must be a wake-up call for the entire nation. “The Taj Palace was considered one of the safest places… We all need to be extra vigilant,” he said.

Several shop-owners, security officers of the mall, the Plaza Maintenance and Services and the management have planned to meet on Monday to review and reassess the security measures. “Everyone needs to be responsible when it comes to security. Only then will it infuse confidence in people who visit the mall,” Mr. Thakurdas said.

Abirami Ramanathan, managing director of Abirami mega mall, said the attacks have shown that there is a need to be more careful.

Sathyam Cinemas has increased coordination with the police and added more security personnel at the theatre complex, said Supriya, head of communications. “Baggage checks and frisking is done systematically,” she added.

Even smaller shopping complexes are concerned about security. They have asked salespersons to keep a watch for any suspicious behaviour or unattended baggage. Some store owners have gone a step ahead and are trying to encourage social responsibility. Bhawanesh Deora of Shreyans Group, which has a shopping complex and party halls, brought together a group of traders, manufacturers and people from all walks of life for a meeting on Sunday to remember the victims of the terror attack. “We have started a forum to encourage citizens to build a stronger community and participate in governance,” Mr. Deora said.

B.S. Raghavan, former head of Political and Security Policy in the Home Ministry, said the time has come for a law that insists on all citizens carrying government-issued identity cards on their person. People would have an obligation to prove their identity when required and, if it is found to be faked, further action could be taken.

He said that malls and theatre complexes should be equipped with camera surveillance. “Employees of public institutions such as post offices, telegraph offices and railway stations should be co-opted as quasi-Intelligence and given some training in order to play a complementary role in improving security,” he said.

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