Anti-terror units help police make Mumbai, schools, malls safer

Shocked by the attacks, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) had issued a list of directives to the country’s various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to beef up security at local level, officials said.

In the wake of terror attacks in Australia and France, and the massacre of schoolchildren in Pakistan, Mumbai police has roped in local anti-terrorism cells to negotiate and hold talks on security measures for schools in the jurisdiction of their police stations.

Shocked by the attacks, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) had issued a list of directives to the country’s various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to beef up security at local level, officials said.

Taking note of the measures suggested, the Mumbai police have divided the city into various units, which will be assigned to the special teams of the ATC. The primary aim is to concentrate on the security aspect of the area under their jurisdiction and conduct safety audits.

Speaking of the action plan that will be implemented in north region, Balsingh Rajput, deputy commissioner of police, zone XI, said, “We have received a list of directives from the MHA. We are following those directives. It is being implemented not just in schools and colleges, but other commercial hubs such as railway stations, which attract a huge footfall.”

A senior inspector of a police station in the region has started conducting mock drills in residential areas.

“We have reviewed the security of high-rises, where the building has hired security personnel. Every aspect, including the parking, which is the most important area of security management to prevent terror activities, needs to be strong and foolproof. We are trying to better the security in other middle-class settlements,” said the officer.

Officers said they are urging shop owners to install good quality CCTV cameras and make it a habit to monitor the equipment regularly.