The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Police convene sensitisation meeting on security norms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Police convene sensitisation meeting on security norms

Special Correspondent

With administrators of public, private institutions

TIRUCHI: The city police on Tuesday convened a meeting with a cross-section of the civic society, including administrators of public and private institutions, schools and colleges, traders and service organisations and government officials, to brief them about safety and security procedures and the do’s and don’ts in handling emergency situations.

The “sensitisation meet” comes in the wake of the security alert sounded after the bomb blasts at Hyderabad. The meeting chaired by the Inspector General of Police (Central Zone) I.Raja saw the officials including City Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) A.Kaliyamoorthy briefing the participants on the security procedures to be followed in their respective institutions and also in places of public congregation.

The meeting focused, in particular, on explosive substances/suspicious objects that may be found in public or private places. The participants were given a list of do’s and don’ts. Apart from staying clear of suspicious objects, participants were told not to accept the identification marks (on such objects) at face value and not to use radio or wireless equipment in the vicinity of the suspicious object. They are also asked not to direct flashlights or cut the strings/wire attached to such objects. Do not panic and do not jump into any trench or pit, they were told.

Participants were also briefed on the standard security protocols in emergency situations and search techniques listing out “where and what to look for.”

The Airport Director S.Sreekumar, Railway Police Force Divisional Commissioner S.R.Gandhi, Corporation Commissioner B.Balachandran, officials from the K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical College, HR&CE Department, heads of various institutions/agencies and representatives of traders bodies attended the meeting.

B riefing reporters later, Mr.Raja said the meet was essentially intended to promote security awareness among institutions so that they could complement the efforts of the police. Participants were briefed on the in-house security procedures to be adopted and also on the use of security devices and equipment. Nodal officers, who are to be contacted, have been designated for various parts of the City.

Similar meetings were being held in all the districts under Central zone. Such meetings would be held periodically, he added.

Mr.Shankar Jiwal said the police have intensified patrolling and vehicle checks. Checks by Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads were being held regularly in places of public congregation such as bus stands.

Mr.Raja also stated that all the 240 police personnel deployed in the Highway Patrol teams would undergo three-days capsule training in the city from September 3 to orient them on disaster management

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail