Mangalore airport, Sri Krishna Temple among 27 buildings facing 'terror threat'
Bangalore, Jan 29 (DHNS): Home Minister K J George has stated that as many as 27 buildings, including government and private structures, have been facing terror threat in the State.
In a written statement to a question by V Sunil Kumar (BJP) in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the minister gave the names of certain buildings facing threat from various terror groups. However, he indicated that more buildings could be facing the threat.
In Bangalore - Vidhana Soudha, Kempegowda International Airport, Infosys, Wipro, Forum Mall, Indian Institute of Science, Vikasa Soudha, High Court, Garuda Mall, Central Mall, Bangalore and Yeshwantpur railway stations and bus stands, Taj Group of Hotels, Kalasipalya bus stand, multinational companies of the US, among others.
Mysore - Infosys, Wipro, Mysore Palace and other places.
Mandya - Brindavan Gardens (KRS), Srirangapatna (Tipu Palace), etc.
Mangalore - Infosys, Wipro, Mangalore airport, Mangalore railway station, etc.
Udupi - Sri Krishna temple.
Bijapur - Alamatti dam.
Karwar - Kaiga nuclear plant.
Bellary - Tungabhadra power plant.
To a question by Sunil Kumar whether the Centre had cautioned the State about the threat, the minister replied in the positive.
George, while mentioning various measures taken to face the threat, said Internal Security Division (ISD), Counter-Intelligence Division in ISD to gather information regarding terrorists, Centre for Counter Terrorism (CCT), all form part of the preparedness. Besides, police security has been provided at sensitive places.
Recruitments are on to the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force, which was set up in 2011.
Threat perception
Replying to another question by Sunil Kumar, who wanted to know whether VIPs were facing threat from various organisations, the home minister said the governor, the chief minister, ministers, judges of the High Court, some elected representatives and others have been facing threat perception from various terrorist/ fundamental/ underworld elements/ anti-social elements.
However, he did not reveal the names.
Security has been provided to persons facing threats, as decided by the police and the direction of the court. In 2013, category security has been provided for 80 persons, and for 167 persons body guards have been provided as recommended by the authorities concerned.
The minister has detailed how security measures have been categorised based on the intelligence report. A committee headed by the chief secretary also reviews the measures taken, he said.