Kumaraswamy discusses terror threat with Patil

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today discussed the security situation in the state with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, in view of the intelligence inputs suggesting potential terror threat to vital installations in Bangalore and elsewhere in the state.

During the meeting the Home Minister told Mr Kumaraswamy that the state government should ask all shopping malls and IT companies to keep a close watch over any suspected activities or movement and enhance security on their premises.

As far as the state government was concerned, it had been providing for the modernisation of the police force by granting the funds for acquiring newer arms and armaments to fight the new threat, Mr Kumaraswamy told medidapersons after the meeting.

The Chief Minister briefed Mr Patil about the arrest of the Pakistan-based militants in an encounter, interrogation of whom revealed that their main target was Vikas Soudha, the annex of Vidhana Soudha. However, there appears to be no naxal links to the incident so far, he said.

Mr Swamy also raised the issue of release of Rs 1,400 crore for taking up flood relief measures. The Centre was yet to allow the state to spend Rs 158 crores provided for taking up works under Calamity Relief.

In his meeting with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the Chief Minister was assured of 50,000 tonnes of food grains this month and another similar quantity next month worth Rs 140 crores for undertaking relief works. The state has been seeking 5.75 lakh tonnes of food grains from the Centre, Mr Swamy said.

He was advised by the Agriculture Minister to discuss the issue with Finance Minister P Chidambaram and he would be meeting him later in the day.

Mr Swamy raised the issue of inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad twin cities under National Urban Renewal Mission as promised by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, with Urban Development Minister S Japial Reddy. Mr Reddy, however, expressed inability to do so as it would invite similar requests from other states since the list has already been finalised.

Mr Swamy discussed the issue of Defence Ministry releasing 84,000 sq meters of defence land for widening of 14 stretch of roads in Bangalore with the Defence Minister A K Antony. He also requested Indian Airforce to allow its facilities in Bidar for the commercial aircraft operations.

To a question if the state government would provide more lands to Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Project as demanded by the contractors, Mr Swamy replied the government would provide the lands as per the orders of the Supreme Court.

UNI MCN YA VV1712