2 months on: unmanned bunkers, no guards

That's the state of the security in the city just two months after the Mumbai terror attacks; JCP says additional 1,000 cops granted to city recently have been withdrawn

2 months on: unmanned bunkers, no guards

That's the state of the security in the city just two months after the Mumbai terror attacks; JCP says additional 1,000 cops granted to city recently have been withdrawn

It's just over two months since the Mumbai terror attacks and the added post-security security has already

been downgraded. MiD DAY conducted a survey along the sensitive coastal stretches of Cuffe Parade and Gorai and found the areas were unguarded.

Joint Commissioner of Police K L Prasad said the Director General of Police has withdrawn additional manpower of 1,000 men granted to Mumbai recently. It will be another nine months before the new recruits are inducted into the force and deployed.

The high-level meetings related to security have also reduced from twice a week to once.

The firearms training at the firing ranges have also gone down with only 10 policemen reporting for practice sessions thrice a week.

The initial euphoria surrounding coastal police stations has also died down. Only a makeshift arrangement at Versova appears to be active.

The first batch of around 350 commandos for Force One, a special security force on the lines of the National Security Guards, is yet to selected. It may take another 18 months before they are whipped into shape for deployment.

In the pipeline
>>u00a0Orders have been placed for weapons like MP-5s, OSV 96 heavy sniping rifles, Galil Snipers and Negev Light Machine Guns with overseas manufacturers. It will take another three months before the consignment is delivered.
>> Field officers for the State Intelligence department have been shortlisted. Another 18 months for deployment.
>> Coastal police station. At least a year before speed boats are delivered.
>>u00a0Bullet proof jackets from international manufacturers. Weeks before consignment of around 300 jackets is delivered.
>>u00a0Dealers in bomb detection equipment, robots and other hardware being shortlisted. At least three months for consignment to arrive.
>> NSG centre near Mumbai. At least 18 months before commandos can start training.

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