Monday, May 23, 2011

Hotels, hospitals and malls beef up security

These places have initiated steps even though they have not been briefed by the police.


After the LeT’s letter received by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) mentioning the possibility of bomb blasts in 17 places in Gujarat, public places like city malls, hotels, hospitals and multiplexes have beefed up security for the safety of their patrons.

Most of these places that have scores of people walking in every hour have increased the number of security personal on their respective premises for better vigilance even though none of them has been communicated the threat perception and asked to strengthen security.

The PMO had handed over the May 18 letter to the Central Intelligence Bureau (CBI). Gujarat State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) received the letter and immediately declared high alert.


The state police are high on vigilance and have put certain places under the scanner. There is a slight confusion over certain parts of the intelligence inputs. One of the inputs mentioned the date of likely terror strike as May 25, another input said the day will be Wednesday.

PERIPHERAL AREAS TOO UNDER VIGILANCE
Iscon Mall has increased its security personnel’s strength by close to cover 20 per cent in order to cover peripheral areas as well.

Mall manager Aakash Singh said, “After the media reports we felt that the security should be increased in order to have better check than what we had. Therefore, along with the car parking area we have also increased security outside. The security staff are checking each and every individual coming in.”

Apart from increasing the security, hospitals are also of the opinion that if needed planned surgeries could be postponed.

Dr Nitin Shah of SAL Hospital told Mirror, “Post LeT threat we have received no communication from the polices commissioner’s office to strengthen the security. Yet we have ordered restrictions on the movement of visitors to avoid unnecessary rush.”

He added, “If we get any communication from the CP’s office we may think of postponing planned surgeries for the convenience of the patients concerned. of course with their consent. The emergency operations will continue as they cannot be stopped.”

Hotel owners say that so far they have not seen any cancellation of room-booking.  Yet, considering the previous serial blasts in June 2008 they have tightened the vigilance system.

A highly placed source in Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Ramdevnagar said, “The number security layers around the property has been doubled. Gunmen are keeping a close watch on the movements on the periphery of the property and will inform the local police in case of suspicion.”

Narendra Somani of Grand Bhagwati Hotel is of the opinion that most of the hotels are following strict vigilance system post 2008 serial blasts in Ahmedabad. Hence, there hardly is any chance of any accident.

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