Bengaluru: Cops on toes year after blast

Bengaluru: As the New Year is approaching, the city police are on their toes and have taken several measures to ensure peaceful celebrations on Brigade Road. Considering that the Church Street blast on December 28 last year had dampened the celebrations, the police are extra cautious this time.

An officer in the central division said that several steps have been taken this time to thwart any untoward incident.

“We are in constant touch with the management of all lodges and star hotels in the CBD and are collecting information about the visitors. They have been asked to inform us if any suspicious person is staying in their lodge. Every day the policemen are collecting information about the visitors,” the officer said.

Besides, the police are recording the registration numbers of all vehicles that go through M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Church Street and surrounding areas in the night. “During the roll-call, all the staff members are briefed about the work that they have to do. They have been strictly directed to note down the vehicle numbers, so that it would help us in tracking the accused if something happens,” the officer said.

Also, the police have advised the pourakarmikas to clean the footpaths without miss.

“We have asked the commercial establishments to keep their premises clean and every nook and corner visible. They have also been asked to check flower pots and decors at regular intervals, so that antisocial elements do not take advantage,” the officer said, reminding that the explosive in the Church Street blast was kept in a pot.

The anti-sabotage squad has been pressed into service from the last couple of days and it has been combing the area for explosives twice every day.

The police have directed restaurants and other establishments to compulsorily install security cameras covering the entrance and exit points.

“If a security camera had been installed in Coconut Groove, the elements who kept the explosives there could have been identified. As a lesson from that incident, we had directed all the shops to install security cameras and are checking the status now,” ghe officer said.

The police will also put up watch towers, security cameras, metal detectors and additional police forces in and around Brigade Road, where thousands of people gather on New Year’s Eve.