Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Aug 7: Western Range inspector general of police (IGP) A M Prasad has informed that an anti-terrorist cell having jurisdiction over Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Chikmagalur districts will be formed within a month.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday August 6, the IGP said that the cell will be headed by an officer of inspector level. The cell will have access to advanced information technology, intelligence wing etc., Staff interested in combating terrorism will be deployed in the cell, he explained. The cell will collate and prepare a database on terrorist activities including hawala transactions, counterfeit currency, drug peddling, movement of suspicious persons etc.,
The state government has already passed on instructions for the formation of such a cell. The department has information about many persons who are affiliated to banned organizations living in Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal and Mangalore taluks bordering Kasargod district, getting involved with terrorist activities. "We are moving about on the issue with the cooperation of Kerala police," Prasad added.
Security has been beefed up at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada, MRPL in Mangalore, important temples and other establishments within the western range, as a precautionary measure after the serial bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. Large-sized commercial complexes have been asked to follow precautionary measures. Police patrolling will be arranged at Bantwal-Kabaka-Puttur-Subrahmanya road railway stations at the time of arrival of the trains, he informed.
The Anti-Naxal Force has been actively working to nip naxal activities. The state government has appointed an additional commander for the force. The department is aware of about 30 gangs of naxals operational in Chikmagalur, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. The police department has not been taking any chances as far as naxal activities are concerned, he said.
DK district superintendent of police Satheesh Kumar and Puttur assistant superintendent of police Abhishek Goel were present.