Police plan to tighten loose ends in security

Forward comprehensive monitoring system for tracking explosives in State

For focussed tracking of explosives from production stage to distribution points and end users, a comprehensive monitoring system has been suggested/forwarded to the government for approval.

Explaining the features, Inspector General of Police (south zone) Rajesh Das said that in the wake of timely unearthing of explosives (power gel 90 variety) stuffed in a PVC pipe and planted underneath a causeway at Alampatti near Tirumangalam, allegedly targeting BJP leader L.K. Advani, the police had examined various prevention aspects and devised methods to tighten loose ends from the security point of view.

The details of explosives manufacturers in each district should be transparent to agencies like the police department as also who were the buyers, distributors and end users. For instance, some explosives may be used in mining, for quarrying purpose, among other applications in the region. Details like where they procured the explosive and for what price, whether they had a licence and their mode of transport would facilitate the agencies to effectively monitor from the start to end.

By insisting on transactions through banks, the details of buyer/seller would be known in case of any necessity for cross-checks.

This will ensure that explosives did not go into wrong hands or to any groups which intended to misuse them for illegal acts. In each district, the police may be allowed to open a cell, which would keep track of the movement periodically and exchange data, he told reporters here on Tuesday.

Further, by integrating a couple of government departments and with the use of technology in the monitoring process in the days to come, coordination would be focussed and officials assigned with the duty would know about their role and task with clarity. In the event of any emergency, it could be handled in a better way and also swiftly, Mr. Rajesh Das said.

Advani case

In the Advani case, the police personnel got a tip off from a local villager about the long wire that was protruding underneath the causeway, attached to a battery and tagged to a PVC pipe. Just a few hours prior to the departure of the BJP leader on October 28, the police not only removed the explosive material from the spot but also defused it and ensured that nothing untoward occurred.

The BJP leader was on his way from Madurai to Shencottah on his ‘Jan Chetna Yatra.' Initially, the Tirumangalam Taluk police had registered the case. However, the State ordered the Special Investigation Team headed by ADGP (CB-CID) R. Sekar to probe the case. In this connection, two persons were arrested and further investigation is on.