Concentration on public places by cops

Following the blast in a Ludhiana theatre, the police has shifted focus to the security of theatres and public places. After the Mecca Masjid bomb blast, the police issued a notification on two occasions on new licensing condition for theatres, multiplexes, malls and shopping complexes.

Police put a rider that the licence was subject to installation of surveillance cameras, doorframe metal detectors, cloak rooms for deposit of belongings and bags, and sufficient number of security personnel to conduct frisking and keep tabs on suspicious elements. But police found that compliance levels were low.

"After the Ludhiana incident, all inspectors have been instructed to ensure that theatres comply with the condition. We will focus on security at public places with more vigour," said city police commissioner Balwinder Singh. "The Buddha Purnima Project Authority has been directed to comply with these conditions on roads abutting Hussainsagar," said Mr Singh. He added that foot patrolling would be carried out by policemen to instil confidence among citizens.

The police has dispatched 90 slides to theatre managements to create awareness among the public. There are plans to produce a short film on the subject. The lack of a pattern in the terrorist attacks carried out in the city has meant that the police is concentrating on the security of all places where there are large crowds. The office of the joint commissioner of police (security and coordination) has asked the five deputy commissioners of police to see that policemen in mufti keep tabs at crowded places. Police officials appealed to the managements to attend the security training classes being conducted by the City Security Wing at the DCPs’ offices on holidays