The Hindu : National : India's response to possible terrorist attacks on American interests "is satisfactory"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 13, 2005

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National

India's response to possible terrorist attacks on American interests "is satisfactory"

Special Correspondent

The level of alertness is higher now than at other times: U.S.

The threat was primarily against U.S. citizens in India but the U.S. Embassy was anxious about the security of "all Americans in the country"

KOLKATA: The Government of India's response to the United States' warning of possible terrorist attacks on American interests in New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai has been "satisfactory" and in keeping with its stand against "terrorism," a U.S. Embassy spokesperson told The Hindu on Wednesday.

"We are satisfied with the cooperation provided by the Government of India and the State Governments concerned, based on our [mutual] experiences. India takes security against terrorism extremely seriously and we respect that," the official said over the phone. "We work with and talk with the federal Government here on security issues on an on-going basis ... and though such threats are not [received] too often, the level of alertness is higher now than at other times as there is a war going on against terrorism and we as well as the Government of India have to be careful," he said.

The U.S. Embassy was recently alerted that terrorists could be planning attacks on Americans in the country, particularly in the four cities. "We did receive the information but it would not be prudent to disclose the nature of the communication ... though New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata have been specifically mentioned in the alert," the official said.

State informed

West Bengal's Home Department has been informed of the threat by the Centre.

Security arrangements here were elaborate in view of Durga Puja and they have been tightened further to protect the U.S. interests in the city, a police officer said.

The threat was primarily against U.S. citizens in India but the U.S. Embassy was anxious about the security of "all Americans in the country and not just officials working in the Embassy circles and those in the four cities," the official said.

"There is quite a large number [of Americans] we can track who are registered with us but the number of those in the country not so could be in multiples of a thousand and the threat perception is equally important for all," he said.

A.P. disputes U.S. alert

Our Hyderabad Correspondent writes:

The alert posted on the U.S. consulate website as "Warden Message" includes New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as possible places where terrorists could attack. Following the alert, the Hyderabad city police intensified patrolling around the software companies and other MNCs belonging to the United States.

Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen, however, disputed the U.S. alert by asserting that there was "no truth in the alarming reports regarding the alleged terrorist threat perception." "Such information was given to the police and the U.S. consulate by a motivated and undependable source," he said.

Mr. Sen maintained that the U.S. representatives were in constant touch with the State police and the necessary action was being taken for protection of all MNCs operating in Hyderabad.

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