The presence of police, bomb detection squad, high security, frisking... It was a scary morning for employees at Leela Infopark in Technopark on Tuesday.
‘Reports’ of a bomb threat spread like wildfire. Few knew that it was Operation Gemini, a joint exercise conducted by Navy, Police, Coast Guard and other state departments to equip the security departments to combat seaborne infiltration bids.
The 48-hour exercise aimed at ensuring foolproof security for the Kerala-Lakshadweep coast began on Tuesday morning. However, exposing the glitches in the security system at Technopark, the ‘terrorist’ (a Navy officer in mufti) managed to enter the campus on Tuesday.
“The securitymen were prior informed about the operation. Still, he managed to enter the campus. We will file a report to the Technopark authorities stressing on the need to beef up security on the campus,” said Rural SP A J Thomaskutty.
Meanwhile, the Coastal Vigilance Committee too failed to check the ‘infiltration’ bid. Members of the committee questioned the Navy officers who were acting as ‘infiltrators’ while they landed on the coast in a fishing boat. But the ‘infiltrators’ were left free after they claimed that they were from ‘Navy.’
Thorough checking was conducted at Leela building as part of the operation. Technopark, one of the largest IT hubs in the country, has porous boundaries. Though securitymen are posted at the main and rear gates, checking of ID cards is not carried out strictly. In addition to this, techies allege that the campus, where more than 40,000 employees work, does not have the required number of security cameras.
echnopark authorities had recently decided to install a video surveillance system on the campus and barbed wires along boundaries. However, the decision is yet to materialise.
Operation Triton, conducted in a similar manner in April, too was held at Technopark. Operation Gemini will conclude on Wednesday morning after a 48-hour-long exercise.