CHENNAI: In an attempt at instilling confidence among the public and those in the Information Technology (IT) sector, the Greater Chennai City police held an interaction meeting with senior executives from IT companies, owners of cinema houses and shopping malls here on Tuesday.

Following the arrests and seizure of explosives made in Coimbatore and Madurai in the last couple of days and the serial blasts in Mumbai a fortnight ago, the city police has geared up to provide elaborate bandobust to sensitive installations.

Recently, when a few `threats' were received from anonymous callers that bombs had been planted in some city schools, the police conducted thorough checks, but found them to be hoaxes. City Police Commissioner Letika Saran, who presided over the meeting, conveyed the message that the police would not remain a mute spectator and said they were ready to handle any challenge that might arise to the IT companies.

Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) Nanjil Kumaran said, "we are not here to frighten anyone. There is no specific threat. This is an exercise to keep ourselves prepared. There may be some attempts on IT companies as they not only had skilled engineers, but also enable the economy to march forward. What happened in Bangalore is a wake up call to us."

State Fire and Rescue Services Director Bholanath spoke on the need for dissemination of basic knowledge about the working of fire extinguishers among all employees.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal said that as a large number of staff were working in the sector, there was a need to ensure adequate security measures. Whenever the IT sector invited renowned scientists/VIPs/ intellectuals to the city for addressing conferences, the police should be informed in advance so that necessary security measures could be planned. Similarly, IT companies should employ trained security guards who can handle any crisis. He also urged the members to install electronic devices such as CCTVs at vantage points, surveillance cameras, under vehicle search mirrors, x-ray scanning machines and security alarms .

He said the emergency preparedness plan was to prevent loss of life, unnecessary panic and minimise casualties or injuries that might arise due to any mishap. The Commissioner said the police would offer training to the security personnel employed by the IT companies.

Joint Commissioner of Police (North) Ravi said the IT companies should verify the antecedents of drivers employed on temporary basis. Later in a brief interaction, some of the participants suggested that such meetings should be held once in six months.

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