Tackling terrorism: Karnataka to issue identity cards to citizens

The BJP Government in Karnataka is planning to issue identity cards to all its citizens in towns and cities across the state in an effort to tackle terrorism.

Responding to criticism from the Opposition over the BJP Government’s alleged failure to prevent the serial blasts that rocked Bangalore on Friday claiming one life and injuring six others, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the State Government was seriously considering a proposal to issue identity cards to all the citizens residing in towns and cities across the state.

He said the State Government would also set up an Anti-Terrorist Squad, which will be given special anti-terrorist training. “Sufficient funds will be provided to strengthen and modernize the Squad’s capabilities to fight terror. The squad’s personnel will be given advanced weaponry”, he said.

Yeddyurappa said the Government would be installing surveillance cameras in sensitive locations across the state that will help the security agencies remain alert and identify suspicious activities.

The Chief Minister, who said the Government would be making collection data on tenants and new entrants to the cities and towns mandatory, warned that people giving shelter to terrorists will be dealt with sternly.

An awareness campaign will be carried out across the state, Yeddyurappa said before warning people against giving residential premises on rent to unknown people.

Seeking to assure the people of the state that the investigations into the blasts in Bangalore were “on track”, Yeddyurappa appealed to the people, including the ones in the Information Technology (IT) sector, not to panic or harbour any apprehensions over their safety.

Yeddyurappa also sought to refute the Federal Government’s claim that Karnataka Government had been alerted about the blasts. “There was no specific central intelligence the blasts. There were only routine advisories after the bombings in Jaipur during May”, the Chief Minister said.

Yeddyurappa also said that he was planning to shortly leave for New Delhi to bring pressure on the Federal Government to revive the anti-terrorist legislation Prevention of Terrorist Activities (POTA) and appealed to the Opposition leader to join him.
Meanwhile, Home Minister V S Acharya informed the Legislative Assembly that state police and intelligence wing were constantly exchanging information. “All the bomb blasts that took place in Bangalore on Friday were on footpaths and it is clear that the terrorists had brought them in vehicles”, Acharya said.