BANGALORE: The scientist fraternity not just within the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) but in other research organisations in the city as well are shaken by the Wednesday's shooting in which a scientist was killed.

IISc Director P. Balaram said: "We never expected such an attack on a research and academic institution. Now we will step up security." Other IISc scientists too were dismayed at the event. The sprawling 443-acre campus houses close to 2,000 scientists and researchers, who are placid and removed from the bustle of Bangalore.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G. Madhavan Nair said: "It is shocking and highly depressing that terrorists targeted an educational and scientific institution such as IISc. In today's world nobody is really safe." He said terrorists could have chosen to attack in Bangalore to capture national and international attention because the city has emerged as a major technology hub in the world. ISRO has sounded a "red alert" at all its installations. The ISRO Satellite Centre here and the Master Control Facility in Hassan are busy tracking the recently launched satellite, INSAT-4A.

The former ISRO Chairman, K. Kasturirangan, who was among those at the scene of shootout, was saddened that terrorists should attack scientists who peacefully carried on with their work and academics who had come from other cities to attend a conference.

C.N.R. Rao, who heads the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, here expressed similar sentiments.

Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor M.S. Thimmappa termed the incident a tragedy and was especially shocked at the fact that Vijay Chandra, whom he knew well, was badly injured. "He was not only the man behind the hand-held Linux-based Simputer but is now heading a biotechnology research project where 56 Ph.D. degree holders are employed. We need such persons," he said.

Narayana Murthy saddened

Infosys Chief Mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy said the act of terrorism on the IISc campus was a "sad incident" and it was time that all concerned — the police, the bureaucrats, the corporate sector and other institutions — came together to tackle the issue of security.

Thanking the State Government for reinforcing security in Electronics City, immediately after the shootout at IISc, Mr. Murthy said as of now there was no threat to Infosys. The company had its own security in place and after the incident it had taken precautions, but declined to mention what they were. Nevertheless, security had to be tightened in all institutions.

IT sector rattled

The shootout has rattled the information technology sector. Many executives said it was a "wake-up call" for the sector, considering the stature and importance of the companies in the Indian economy.

The industry captains reckon that the incident calls for enhanced security measures for global IT firms, but rule out any adverse impact on the sector or on investments in Karnataka, particularly Bangalore, that accounts for nearly 35 per cent of software exports from the country.

"This (the attack) is shocking and cowardly coming as it does on innocent persons. It is sad that it happened in an academic institution where you do not want to be constrained," said NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) President Kiran Karnik.

Mr. Karnik did not agree with the view that IT firms are "soft targets" and vulnerable to such attacks. "Security is tight in technology firms even now and they keep reviewing it. We will work with the Government on what additional steps are needed to tighten security," he said. The industry will work with police and seek their guidance, he added.

Mr. Karnik said the incident in Bangalore would not affect the IT industry adversely. "Such attacks have occurred in other cities. We don't think it will have an adverse impact," he added.

Wipro tightens security

Software giant Wipro Ltd. said its security system is geared to meet exigencies. A spokesperson said: "Wipro has well-established security processes. The physical security includes safe and well-enforced practices on movement of vehicles and visitors in and around Wipro facilities, besides electronic surveillance. Our security system is geared to meet any untoward incident. Additional security controls have been implemented in view of the recent incidents."

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