K'taka to strengthen anti-terror wing: Acharya

Bangalore, Nov 28 (UNI) Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya today said the State Government was planning to upgrade its Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) by including an Intelligence Wing to fight new challenges posed by terrorists.

Dr Acharya told reporters after a meeting with police officials here the ATS, which was presently just an intelligence gathering body , would be made fully functional to combat the terror acts by adding a separate Intelligence Wing with better mechanism for gathering data.

He would place the matter of upgrading internal security before the next Cabinet meeting for its approval.

The government will also set up an universal toll free phone number for public to pass on information regarding organised crime from any corner of the State to the centrally-managed control room in the city.

The Home Minister said a hotline had been set up between the DGP and other security agencies, including Central intelligence agencies, military and para military forces for better coordination in times of crisis.

The government had placed six Advanced Rescue Vehicles, each costing Rs one crore, with full life support systems at different places across the State.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will hold a meeting in the next few days with hotel owners and other private establishments in the wake of terrorists targeting hotels.

The Minister said private establisments will be asked to make their own arrangements for security.

Dr Acharya said the Chief Minister will also launch Crime Prevention Drive from December one. The programme will help officials evaluate the functioning of police personnel, in curbing crime, on scientific basis.

To a question he said there was no report of death of any person from the State in the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

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