Dr. B. Sandhya IPS, IGP(APB)    Nodal Officer,   Janamaithri Suraksha Project, Kerala

The entire nation has been terror stricken by the terrible events in Mumbai recently. The Indian society is eager to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

Terrorists are individuals who are prepared and willing to take advantage of any opportunity to create tension within the community and instill fear in the hearts of citizens. In order to light such threats to the society, each one of us must be prepared physically, mentally, intellectually and emotionally and this preparation must be well supported by the latest advances in technology and equipment.

It is essential that community members as well as security personnel be knowledgeable about all nooks and crannies of their respective surroundings. As the number of unknown persons in a locality increases, so also the possibility of occurrence of untoward incidents increases. If one notices any stranger under suspicious circumstances, the matter must be immediately reported to the police authorities. In this context, community policing efforts wherein local beat police officers and members of residents' associations make concerted efforts to get acquainted with each other, are extremely useful. A striking instance of the effectiveness of such programmes has been reported from the Perinthalmanna Police Station (Malappuram District) Where the Janamaithri Suraksha Project of the Kerala Police is being implemented as a pilot project. Here, it was found that in an unexpected response to the collection of community-level household data by beat officers, some rented houses were vacated by the residents, without even collecting the advance deposits paid by them to the House owners. It stands to reason that these people must have been resident in the area with the intention of committing some crime or anti-social activity.

To prevent terrorism, it is important to prevent situations which are conducive to criminal and anti-social activities. Dealing in Narcotics, handling, transport and sale of explosive substances, Smuggling, Fake visa rackets, use of fraudulent passports for foreign travel, etc are some nefarious activities. The communities where such incidents are common, are ideal for terrorism to flourish. It has often been the case in Kerala, where quarrying and manufacture of explosive (for fireworks) is quite common, that when stricter controls and licensing requirements are sought to be put on these activities, there is tremendous resistance from various quarters. In the interest of the nation's security, it is important to keep in mind that permitting the transport of huge amounts of explosives is extremely helpful for individuals who profess terrorism. Hence, it may be worthwhile to consider bringing the licensing of explosive substances under the purview of the home ministry and to ensure that sale of explosives are permitted only through strictly supervised outlets.

We need recognize that the use of fraudulent passports as well as making use of fake visas for foreign travel are extremely serious crimes. Information about such individuals, especially those who visit countries where training in terrorism is openly imparted, needs to be passed on quickly to the authorities. (Citizens may make use of the Help line 1090 to pass on such information anonymously to police authorities.)

Today, public buildings and establishments such as shopping complexes, museums, corporate buildings, schools, hospitals, etc. all need to look closely at their security arrangements and incorporate safety measures, as required. Clear and accurate maps of each establishment must be prepared and kept available at a safe place. Scrutiny and verification of identity of individuals who visit such establishments need to be made compulsory. Security guards need to be familiar with the layout and all inner spaces of such establishments. Students in schools, people passing through public transit points such as railway stations, bus stands etc. must be made aware of the need to be careful when picking up objects, however familiar they may seem to be. Such awareness classes for the public, as well as training classes for security personnel are a key feature of the Janamaithri Suraksha Project of Kerala Police. A society in which every citizen feels the responsibility and freedom to report suspicious activities and behaviour immediately to the police authorities, is a safe community. Strangers making suspicious calls to certain countries need to be reported by the telephone booth operators, and unusual activities on the seacoast must be brought to the notice of authorities by members of the fishing community. In this manner, useful information can be passed on to police authorities by citizens from all walks of life..

Once, when a bomb blast took place in a city where I was stationed, I went along with members of the Bomb squad to inspect the major intersections of the area. To my surpise and shock, many of the localities has heaps and heaps of rubbish and garbage, ideal locations for hiding explosives without detection ! It would have been impossible for police to check each garbage pile and ensure that the area was indeed safe for citizens. People need to be sensitized pileup of garbage and other things affecting public order in public places. Similarly, the presence of unfamiliar vehicles in the same location for days together also should give rise to suspicion, and must be brought to the notice of the authorities.

Our society is a democratic society; hence we give much importance for protection of Human Rights and rightly so. However, it may be kept in mind that sometimes such citizens groups are formed with the sole intention of protecting anti-social elements and criminals, and such organizations then work to discredit the police authorities for their own ulterior purposes. Our citizens need to ensure that such groups of people are not given a free hand to operate against the authorities, and our police personnel are not victimized by such motivated groups. This will only bring down the morale of the police forces and enable the terrorists to play havoc in the community.

The security of a community tests solely on the professional commitment of the police forces along with the deep-seated social consciousness and alertness of citizens.

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From an article in Mathrubhumi Daily dated 05/12/2008 by Dr B Sandhya IPS