With its headquarters and hospitals on terrorists' radar since 26/11, the civic body decides to reduce dependence on the police
With its headquarters and hospitals on terrorists' radar since 26/11, the civic body decides to reduce dependence on the police
Eight months after the terror attack on Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to have its own bomb disposal squad.
It has sent already 30 security officials to Pune for training in bomb detection and disposal.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Madhav Sangale said, "After 26/11, the BMC headquarters and civic hospitals were on the terrorists' target list.
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We thought that by creating our own bomb disposal squad, we would not have to depend on the police."
The Indian Army began the training on Saturday. "As part of our first batch, we have sent six security officers and 24 security guards.
They will be trained in Khadakvasla for 13 days," said S Kulkarni, joint security officer.
However, he refused to give any details about where the squad will be posted.
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"It is too early to say that. We are waiting for the first batch to return. We are yet to decide on their equipment and uniforms," he said.
Safety First
After 26/11, BMC tightened security at its headquarters, civic hospitals and water pumping stations.
BMC has 3,800 security guards and 100 security officers. Last month, it recruited 600 security guards. BMC's security guards are armed with either a rifle or a revolver.
Rs 7 crore
The amount BMC has allocated for security for 2009-2010
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