If the Andhra Pradesh police have their way, numerous private security agencies in the state will soon become part of its anti-terror strategy to counter the threat of terrorists. The police have sent the draft of a new legislation to the state government to make it mandatory for the private security agencies to work in coordination with the police force both in hour of crisis and otherwise.
Additional director general of police Abdul Khayyum Khan said on Wednesday that it was one of the two initiatives of the state police to further strengthen the anti-terror mechanism in the state. The other law proposed by the police was aimed at regulating the the cyber-related crimes. Under the law, it will be compulsory of all cyber cafes to maintain the record of users of their facilities and provide the same to the police if required.
"Such a law has become necessary as most terrorist organizations are found using the information technology and cyber cafes for the communication among themselves and for sending messages," he said. He hoped that both these drafts will become law soon and will go a long way in helping the police to fight against the terrorists.
Pointing out that a large number of private security agencies have come up in the state providing security to the industries, malls, multiplexes and other similar economic activities, Khan said that the law will ensure coordination between these agencies and the police.
"The draft provides of training the private agencies and equipping them by the police", Khan said. However whether the police will be able to arm the personnel of private security agencies will depend on the final shape of the law, said the DGP SSP Yadav.
The law will lay down certain guidelines to the agencies including
Police department alone should not be involved in giving police security to the people. That is why we have decided to have coordination with these agencies", Khan said
The top police brass was satisfied with the anti terror arrangements including the formation of a new organization "OCTOPUS". The new organization was announced soon after the series of bomb blasts in the city in 2007 and it became functional during this year. AK Khan said that 330 suitable personnel were picked up from police force and recruited to the OCTOPUS and provided with equipment and weapons.
A new building and other infrastructure facilities were being created for the new force. But the DGP refused to go in to the details of the strength and sort of equipments and weapons gives to this force saying they were on a dangerous duty where their lives were at stake. "I can not divulge any details of such a secret organization", he said.
Khan said while the state was free of terrorist activities last year, the state police kept a close watch on the situation in view of the happenings in major cities and other states. He said AP Police was also coordinating with the center and the other states top keep the situation under control.
Replying to a question about the investigations in to the three blasts of 2007, Yadav said that the Mumbai police arrested two persons who confessed their involvement in the blasts in Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat. "But we are in queue with other agencies who want to take these persons in to custody. We are waiting for our turn in the court," he said.