Every time when there is a threat to internal security or a VIP visit to the Union Territory, local law enforcement agencies are on tenterhooks due to the depleted strength and machinery with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Wing.
In the wake of recent alert given by intelligence agencies following the Easter Sunday serial bomb blasts in Colombo, the Puducherry police was on high alert to thwart any potential infiltration bid through the Puducherry coast. The local agencies had mounted anti-sabotage surveillance across churches. “We were on high alert but one of the most worrying factors was the lack of modernised equipment for the Bomb Detection and Disposal squad,” a senior police officer said.
Thelocal police with only one bomb squad unit at its disposal has always depended on its counterparts in Tamil Nadu for assistance to enhance its anti-sabotage operations during VIP visits or at the time of general alerts, as was evident during the advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2010 about a possible terror attack at Puducherry in “the near future”, he added.
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From the time of alert issued by the MHA almost a decade ago, the territorial police have been requesting for additional funds to procure modern gadgets for the squad. The department lacks equipment such as deep-search explosive detectors, deep-search metal detectors, explosive x-ray scanners, bomb suits/blankets, bomb baskets, bomb proof/resistant cars, jammer cars and binoculars.
The squad currently has an old bomb suit/blanket, handheld metal detectors and door frame metal detectors at its disposal. However, there are inadequate, an official with the law enforcement agency said.
“We are always dependent on Tamil Nadu during an emergency situation. Several proposals were sent to the government for augmenting resources, including manpower in the squad. But so far we have not received any favourable response,” the official added.
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