The Dharam Karan Road residence of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has turned into an impregnable fortress after security was beefed up his bungalow on Monday. A three-layered security has been thrown around his residence keeping in mind security threat posed by Maoists, Islamic fundamentalists and “some lunatics, who create problems by suicide threats”, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Security and Coordination) Central Security Wing.
Unlike the camp office residence of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Mr. Rosaiah’s residence is located in a predominantly residential locality complicating the security arrangements. Security cordon consists of an inner cordon comprising a house protection team and another team manning the grounds; strict access control with two door frame metal detectors (DFMD), handheld metal detectors (HHMD) and one curtained corner to frisk women; and boundary wall equipped with solar fencing to deter intruders.
Mr. Ujala, who reviewed arrangements here on Monday, said one commando team of the elite counter-terrorism outfit of the State Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations (Octopus) with sophisticated weapons would work round the clock. Men from the Central Security Wing (CSW), Special Branch, Intelligence departments as well as the S.R. Nagar Nagar police station personnel are being stationed round–the-clock in shifts. A dog squad would also be positioned. Security personnel have been deployed on rooftops and cellars of nearby buildings whenever the Chief Minister leaves home, explained Mr. Ujala. Declining to give the number of security personnel deployed, he said they were “adequate” and would be increased further in the coming days. Visitors would not be allowed to carry any kind of items like books, cell phones, pen etc., into the Chief Minister’s residence. “Even sweets will not be allowed. All these are products that can be implanted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” he observed.
Appeal
Considering the presence many residential buildings in the vicinity, Mr. Ujala requested the public to cooperate with the police. “It is everyone’s responsibility to help in protecting the CM.” He also appealed locals not to rent out houses to strangers. “House owners should inform the S.R Nagar police and verify credentials of their tenants.” Measures are in place to check vehicle flow at street corners whenever the convoy is on the move. Motor vehicles will not be allowed to park on the roads within 100 metres of the residence. “The carriageway should be kept free and anything obstructing the movement of the convoy will be seized,” said Mr. Ujala, pointing out to the threat of bombs fitted on cars or cycles.
