Old weapons weigh heavily on cops

Officials feel that unless modern equipment to deal with terrorists is provided, they would be at risk during encounters

Hyderabad: The terrorist attack in Punjab has thrown open several questions on how well equipped the police is in various States more so how is new born Telangana State prepared to counter any such terrorist attack. Soon after formation of the State, the government had gone in for some kind of modernisation like giving new vehicles and increasing visible policing.

It has also approved the design of the proposed world class Command and Control Centre, with twin towers consisting of 16 floors and 24 floors respectively and helipads atop and a parking space for 600 four-wheelers. After examining different designs presented by 15 companies, the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao gave his nod for the design of the twin towers having solar roof, to be built on Green Energy concept.

In a bid to change the image and mindset of the police, KCR has asked the top brass to design a course to change the work culture of the police. The Chief Minister has set August 15 as the deadline for buying new vehicles for Hyderabad and Cyberabad police commissionerates.

The new vehicles will be equipped with modern gadgets like laptops, GPS and cameras. All this sounds interesting but officials feel that unless modern equipment to deal with terrorists was provided, they would be at risk during encounters. Lack of full body gear and latest weapons has taken lives of policemen during Nalgonda encounter, where terrorists were heavily armed. “Yes we are seeking modern weaponry, but it will take time.

We have bullet proof jackets but need more such full body gear to meet any exigency, said an official on the condition of anonymity. Though clause 9 of the AP State Reroganisation Act says, “The Central government shall assist the successor States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to raise additional police forces for a period of three years.

Also from the appointed day the Central government would maintain and administer the Greyhound Training Centre in Hyderabad which shall function as a common training centre for the successor States for three years and that it shall provide financial assistance in setting up new operational hubs for Greyhounds.

Officials say that the allocation for National Scheme for Modernisation of Police and Other Forces stands reduced from Rs 1,457 crore in 2014-15 to only Rs 35 crore in 2015-16. Another aspect that needs to be focussed in the wake of the Punjab attack is the fitness of the force and giving them necessary training to meet any situation. Along with modernisation of weapons, advanced training for the police to face any unforeseen attack should also be given, senior officials feel.

However, for the present, top police officials said that anti-sabotage measures have been taken and the Cyberabad police has increased security in the IT corridor. Patrolling has been increased and special vehicle checking is been carried out. The managements of MNCs have been asked to be more vigilant. They were asked to close all gates except the most necessary ones. Special anti-sabotage checks were also being conducted by the Hyderabad police at various places.

By:Md Nizamuddin