Bangalore on red alert after Mumbai blasts

A red alert has been sounded in Bangalore in the wake of the serial blasts rocking Mumbai on Tuesday evening.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy convened a high level meeting of police officials in Bangalore on Wednesday to review the security arrangements in Karnataka, particularly at the vital defense installations, software companies and business and commercial hubs of Bangalore.

A decision was taken to hold a meeting with representatives from the industry and commerce on July 19 to chart out a plan of action for strengthening security in Bangalore.

Home Minister M P Prakash was also present during the meeting. Kumaraswamy said he held a telephonic talk with Federal Minister for Home Shivaraj Patil on the precautionary steps taken in Karnataka. “He has given some instructions to take precautionary steps at sensitive places”, Kumaraswamy told reporters later.

Bangalore City Police Commissioner Neelam Achuta Rao has said that additional personnel had been kept ready to meet any emergency.

Kumaraswamy directed the Director General of Karnataka Police B S Siyal to step up vigil and security across the state, particularly in areas bordering Maharashtra.

Even as the security forces kept a close watch on the Maharashtra border, the Railway Protection Force remained alert. All the railway police stations across the state have been put on alert. Dog squads had been pressed into service at railway stations and passengers were being frisked. A closed circuit television (CCTV) has been installed at Bangalore railway station.

It may be mentioned here that the authorities in Karnataka are not willing to take any chances particularly in the backdrop of a terrorist attack on scientists at Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore during December 2005.

However, Siyal said the state had been put on security alert only as a precautionary measure. “There is no reason to panic”, he said.