Following Sunday’s blast, the city has been put on high alert with additional police personnel deployed at public places, including bus stands, railway and Metro stations, airport and malls.
In the central parts, security in and around M.G. Road has been increased with one policeman deputed at every 100 metres to keep a watch on any untoward incident till the New Year celebrations are over.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) Sandeep Patil said police personnel have been deployed at M. G. Road, Brigade Road, High Grounds and in and around Vidhana Soudha. The police are putting up 10 watchtowers in and around M.G. Road and deploying policemen in plainclothes for patrolling.
According to Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, Railway Protection Force, Louis Amuthan, security has been strengthened at Bengaluru City, Cantonment and Yeswanthpur stations. In addition to the two sniffer dogs belonging to RPF, two more from the State government have been added to the dog squad. Metal detectors have been installed at critical entrance points. Police personnel in plainclothes have been posted at all railway stations.
Anil Kumar Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Bangalore, said security has been strengthened in stations, particularly pit lines, where empty rakes are parked for maintenance. He said, "Since they travel empty, they are easy targets for planting bombs.”
Ekroop Caur, Managing Director, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) said passengers have been asked to be more vigilant, especially about unidentified luggage.
Bhuvanesh Kumar, Security Officer, Garuda mall, said security at the mall was stepped up as New Year sales were on. However, stores lay empty with little business. Abhishek. K, Assistant manager at multinational apparel store, said, “Sales are low compared to other Mondays. New year sales may also decrease.” However, some people were determined to shop. “The situation is normal. The blast won’t affect my New Year,” said shopper Meena Kumar.
Lax security at Vidhana SoudhaAlthough Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that a high alert had been sounded in the entire State and that security had been beefed up within a five-km radius of Vidhana Soudha, there was no notable change in the security arrangements at the epicentre of power.
The baggage scanning machines have not been working for over two months, and there was no change on Monday.
Police personnel deployed at the entries were found checking bags of visitors with handheld metal detectors. However, most managed to enter without being checked after saying they are State government employees.
