Better Be Alert: (Left) While state security continues to be lax even after IISc attack (Reuters), firms such as infosys have developed their own security system (Pic By Sanjay Sakaria)

Analysts surmise that attacking Bangalore at a time when India is becoming an economic power would be a logical step for terrorists. “It is an open secret that the Silicon Valley of the country is on the radar of terrorists,” says Yeddyurappa. Intelligence Bureau reports point to high visibility institutions to be primary targets of terror strikes.

While most topline companies already have elaborate physical and network security arrangements on their campuses, safety cannot be assumed. “We have told the Karnataka government that the private sector can take some measures (towards protection) but in case of an attack such as that in Mumbai, we cannot protect ourselves as the government does not allow private security agencies to carry sophisticated arms,” says T.V. Mohandas Pai, director of human resources at Infosys Technologies.

In the meeting, Bangalore’s IT-BPO chiefs not only agreed to share their technical expertise in combating terror, but also sought assistance from the government for better protection.

Are We Ready?
Bangalore’s first brush with terror took place with the attack on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in December 2005, after which it was decided the country’s software capital should have an Anti-Terror Cell (ATC) like those in Hyderabad and Mumbai. But little came of this. IISc, meanwhile, increased checks and mandated registration of visitors and vehicles. Requests to station armed security guards on campus are yet to be sanctioned.

Earlier attempts to address the issue offer little hope too. In 1992, Karnataka constituted an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), but thus far, other than re-christening it as the Anti Terrorist Cell (ATC), little has been achieved. Now, Yeddyurappa has promised his government will ensure the state’s security apparatus, including the ATC, is strengthened. As a first step in this direction, a separate internal security department has been set up. The ATC, the anti-Naxal force, the coastal security force and the intelligence wing will come under the newly formed department, headed by an additional director-general of police. The ATC will now have 750 trained personnel, including a commando force and sharp shooters. Men for these crack forces are to be selected from among the 12,000 Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel.

A Security Board headed by the state home minister is also in the offing, as is a police training centre to be set up in Kudremukh in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Yeddyurappa also wants a unit of the National Security Guards (NSG) to be permanently stationed in Bangalore, along with two more units of the India Reserve Battalion comprising 1,000 men each.