Learning lessons from the recent bomb blasts in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam is gearing up to take a series of security measures for the safety of its citizens.
Visakhaptnam, with a population of about 20 lakh, has no public security devices worth the name in place except a few surveillance cameras at some shopping malls and movie theatres. Some commercial establishments, hotels and industries have installed security measures on their premises of their own accord.
The RK Beach, Submarine Beach, VUDA Park, Pandurangapuram, Tenneti Park on the beach front, Poorna Market, Jagadamba Junction, Dwarakanagar Akkayyapalem, Maddilapalem, Dwarakanagar, NAD Junction, Gajuwaka, Kailasagiri, and several other junctions are crowded at peak hours, particularly in the evenings but no CCTV cameras are in place at any of these junctions.
While paramilitary security forces such as the CISF and CRPF have been deployed at industrial establishments and central government institutions, the city police, with a strength of about 1,800 personnel, are having to juggle security duties with their regular crime work. There is no special wing in the city police commissionerate to look after the security of the city, the second biggest in the state.
“What can we do? There is no cooperation from the government. It takes months to sanction works that cost a pittance. Even the city police commissioner’s office does not have a proper security system. A proposal for a new building has been hanging fire for six years,” said an ACP.
Asked about the lack of the minimum security measures like CCTV cameras at strategic points in the city, the officer said the government and the media only focus on the issue whenever a terror incident takes place and shift focus when another issue crops up. He wondered why political parties and people’s organisations don’t agitate for security measures.
Since the Feb. 21 blasts in Hyderabad, Vizag commissioner of police B Shivadhar Reddy conducted two meetings with railway and airport authorities to review security arrangements. It has been decided to raise a bomb detection and disposal squad and a dog squad besides installing more CCTV cameras at vantage and vulnerable points.
“Yes, we have to take immediate measures. We are conducting meetings with industries, railways and RTC authorities. We are also in talks with commercial establishments on security at their places. We will instal CCTV cameras at all the junctions. The city police, along with other security agencies, will organise mock drills and surprise checks frequently,’’ he said.
Though Vizag has not witnessed any major terrorist activity, there is an need to step up surveillance because the city has key defence, industrial, research and educational institutions. “We are always busy providing security to VIPs at public functions and controlling people’s agitations. It is no surprise that no SI or CI has the time to keep a watch on terrorists. There is an urgent need to strengthen the Special Branch and intelligence wings of the state police and update their methods. The government should set up a separate wing to deal with terror attacks. It will be in the country’s interest to introduce a course on security at the university level,’’ says an inspector.