7/11 blasts: K'taka steps up vigil at vantage pts

Bangalore, July 13: The Karnataka government has initiated various security measures across the state in the wake of the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai on Tuesda which claimed over 150 lives, Home Minister M P Prakash informed the Assembly today.

Replying to the issue raised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) G V Srirama Reddy and others, he said a high level meeting, headed Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, was held yesterday to take stock of the situation and decided on measures need to be taken to tighten security.

He said security had been stepped up at the Vidhana Soudha, the state Secretariat, the Karnataka High Court and other important government buildings and multinational companies.

Mr Prakash said the government was fully geared up to face any situation and prevent the sinister designs of terrorists who were out to create a scary atmosphere by killing innocent people.

He informed that the government would also hold a meeting with representatives of MNCs, shopping malls and Information Technology companies in a few days to discuss and suggest security measures.

Citing police reports that explosive substance, RDX, was being imported through sea by anti-social elements, the state government had ordered strict vigil in coastal areas.

He agreed with the members that there had been shortfall in the strength of police personnel and said efforts were on to recruit 2,100 personnel into the force.

UNI