The reported presence of Maoists in some northern districts of the State has prompted the police in the State capital to be more vigilant, with City Police Commissioner H. Venkatesh asking officers on night patrol in the city to compulsorily carry their weapons.
“I have asked all Circle Inspectors and those going for night patrol to carry arms from Tuesday. We have reviewed security measures in city police stations as well. There are no specific intelligence inputs on a Maoist threat as such to the State capital, but these are precautionary measures. We are on an alert,” Mr. Venkatesh told The Hindu.
Four officers
Night patrol vehicles in the city generally do not have officers with weapons, but now will have an officer carrying a pistol/revolver. The number of sentries on night duty at police stations too has been enhanced, with four officers to be present in each police station.
With constables and most officers in the city being slightly rusty when it comes to handling of weapons, the Commissioner has also asked for dry practice for everyone during daily morning parades, while each police station will soon have in place a plan of action, detailing its reaction in the event of an attack.
Preparatory sessions for officers and constables, on response and tactics primarily, too have been set in motion, with assistant commissioners, circle inspectors and sub inspectors all to be part of the sessions, which began on Tuesday.
Night patrols have also been asked to keep an eye out for suspicious elements and to pass on information without delay. A similar vigil will be maintained in the coastal area and police stations falling under the jurisdiction of the City Police.
While these orders have been issued verbally on Tuesday, a circular detailing the security measures, including the compulsory carrying of weapons, would be issued shortly, Mr. Venkatesh said.
The Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police and Forest officials in the district are already on a vigil, with rural police stations, forest offices and tribal settlements being asked to look out for strangers in forest areas here.
