Chennai: The next time you see a police team equipped with high frequency metal detectors (HFMD) and under-search mirrors sweeping objects and checking places at malls, bus terminuses, temples and other areas, do not be alarmed.
A dedicated anti-terror unit at all the city's 12 police districts has been carrying out checks for the past four months at malls, bus terminals, temples and other crowded spots at the behest of city police commissioner S. George, a senior police official has said.
The team was also given to checking company parking lots and any person who aroused suspicion as it was aiming at being prepared for any eventuality that may occur, he added.
"The team is headed by an inspector and assisted by around 10 police personnel of other ranks.
They have also been provided a van and necessary devices to carry out the task," said S. Xavier Dhanraj, deputy commissioner, Anna Nagar. While not all personnel are specially trained, a few members are trained to handle equipment and detect suspects.
VillivaÂkkÂam inspector (crime) R. Arnold Easter and his team had finished their checks at Chennai moffusil bus terminus (CMBT) and were headed to the Ampa Skywalk mall to inspect the parking lot for their ‘serious drill’.
The inspector is shifted once a week or two weeks, and the task is carried out every day without fail, he said. Senior police officials said pre-emptive measures of this nature were the need of the hour as demonstrated by the arrest of terror suspects Police Fakruddin at Chennai on October 4, 2013 and his associates, Panna Ismail and Bilal Malik, a day later at Puttur, in Andhra Pradesh, after a 12-hour joint operation by the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu police.
