Mumbai blasts: K'taka CM reviews security measures

Bangalore, July 12 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today reviewed with top officials the security measures taken in the city in the wake of the serial bomb blasts that rocked the Western Railway line in Mumbai yesterday, claiming over 180 lives and leaving behind scores of people injured.

Talking to newspersons after the review meeting here, Home Minister M P Prakash said the Chief Minister was briefed about the various security measures taken at sensitive areas in the city, including important institutions, places of worship, shopping malls, airport, bus stand and railway stations and vital installations.

He said the Chief Minister instructed the Finance Department to settle expeditiously the demands of the police department for modernising the force.

Mr Prakash said top officials would be holding a meeting with owners of shopping malls and complexes in the city in a couple of days on security measures. It would be followed by a meeting with the Chief Minister.

Chief Secretary B K Das, Director General of Police B S Sial, City Police Commissioner Neelam Achutha Rao and top officials from the Home Department attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up in various districts today following the state putting the district administration on high alert after the Mumbai blasts.

A report from Mysore said security had been stepped up in and around Mysore following a communication from the government to this effect.

Police said security had been tightened in important tourists spots like the Mysore palace, Chamundi Hills and the Mysore zoo.

Besides, additional security had been deployed in sensitive areas and institutions like Defence Food Research Laboratory and Central Food Technological Research Institute.

A bomb disposal squad and dog squad had been pressed into service at the city railway station and the KSRTC bus stand. Strict vigil was being maintained round-the-clock and all passengers coming into Mysore frisked.

A report from Sirsi said trains were being operated as usual on the Konkan Railway line.

Konkan Railway officials told UNI that the blasts in Mumbai had not affected the operations in their line. However, security had been tightened in all railway stations as several trains from Mumbai passed through the route.

Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) S Ravi said security had been beefed up at the Atomic Power Station at Kaiga, Seabird Naval base at Karwar and important places of worship and dams sites in the district.

Tight security had also been provided at railway stations and sensitive areas in the district.

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