The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Armed security waits in the wings at Vidhana Soudha

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Armed security waits in the wings at Vidhana Soudha

S.Rajendran

The policemen have to remain within the confines of a bus

— PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.

on Guard: The mobile shelter of the police who are stationed at Vidhana Soudha.

Bangalore: As Bangalore turns into a convenient hideout for terrorists according to some, the role of the police has also naturally become that much more complex. As with the police in New Delhi after the Parliament attack, not only is a large part of the police force deployed on VIP duty, they also safeguard important properties of the Government.

In Bangalore, armed policemen, many more than we have ever seen in the city in the past have been placed on round-the-clock duty at the front lawns of the Vidhana Soudha and the adjoining areas of the State Secretariat. This platoon of 15 men, (equipped with antique .303 rifles and lathis) are the back-up police.

But their modest shelter whether it be in the scorching summer heat, pouring rain or the winter cold is their bus. In a considerate gesture however, the armed policemen have been provided woollen sweaters and coats to beat the cold, and their work has been placed on a rotation basis with one round of service at the Vidhana Soudha once a fortnight. However their duty is not the usual eight hours as in the case of all other Government employees: a 12 hour presence is required from them, as their work involves always keeping a hawk’s eye.

It is not only the rigours of weather that they have to face. It is boredom as well; all part of what is being described as an inevitable “occupational hazard” by the commissioner of police N. Achuta Rao. He told The Hindu that as armed policemen were pressed into service only when the situation warranted, it is but inevitable that they will have to remain within the confines of a bus or a van. The commissioner is happy, of course, that the services of the police platoon have never had to be put to use ever since it was stationed near Vidhana Soudha.