KRISHNAN: The government has already set up a National Investigation Agency on the lines of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to tackle terror exclusively and strengthen provisions in terror laws making it tougher for suspects to obtain bail. However to improve core policing in the country the home ministry has begun to improve the police- people ratio, filling up police vacancies in many states and purchasing proper equipment, sophisticated weaponry and communication systems for both police and paramilitary forces to meet the challenges of new age terror. Home Minister P Chidamabaram spells out the agenda before him. CHIDAMBARAM: I'm fully aware of the security situation and the issues that have to be addressed. Terrorism, Naxalite violence and insurgency in the north east are the key challenges for the country. Besides, there are areas that are sensitive in the areas of public order and communal harmony.KRISHNAN: With seven paramilitary forces under his charge, Chidambaram, has conducted a personal review of each of these forces.The Mumbai attacks exposed the utter unpreparedness of the intelligence establishment but now a multi-agency Centre has been empowered functioning on a 24-7 basis and is now legally obliged to share real time intelligence with all other agencies.Terrorism expert Hartosh Singh Bal says India has to cope with new age terror especially when attacks either by terror groups or leftist extremists have got deadlier and had a surprise element.BAL ACTUALITY: There's almost a transition in the very nature of Indian terrorism. For the first time, we are lookign at well-educated, reasonably affluent terrorists who have an idealogy that is not restricted by the boundaries of India, who are getting increasingly sophisticated in the methods, who are learning from the mistakes they's made - this is obvious in how they are using explosives, how they're using technology like the net. India needs to upgrade its capabilities across the board in order to fight the new threat. KRISHNAN: Just this month, more hubs of the elite National Security Guard that battled terrorists in Mumbai opened up in four other cities, that are expected to act as force multipliers to any threat arising in the country.Chidambaram maintains that much of the action plan to secure India has been implemented.Security analyst M. K. Venu who has been keeping a close eye on the revamped mechanisms believes there has been a significant change in the security regimen.VENU: I think after the Mumbai terror attack, India is indeed spending a lot of money on upgrading its security establishment, whether it is coastal security or whether its improving and upgradign it anti-terrorist outfits like the National Secuirty Guard. And also, improving the hinterland security.KRISHNAN: The government has so far been serious to implement a raft of measures such as securing important private establishments and deploying commandos at iconic structures round the clock. It is now working towards deadlines. The security establishment wants to transform and quickly to ensure that another Mumbai or worse does not recur.
'Kalam had No Problems with Frisking'
New Delhi, July 21 (IANS): Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was subjected to a body search for the first time by employees of a US airline in Delhi when he was boarding a flight in April to Newark, his office said Tuesday, adding he does go through the standard security drill while travelling abroad.
The issue created a storm in the Rajya Sabha with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel promising a probe into the incident and saying a show-cause notice would be sent to the carrier.
"He did not complain when he was frisked and took in his stride. Everyone was being checked and so was he," said Kalam's personal secretary H.Sheridan.
Kalam was frisked by the ground staff of Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) when he was on the aerobridge while boarding the non-stop flight to Newark, New Jersey.
"He had left the ceremonial lounge and there were a few airlines staff on the aerobridge who were checking passengers," said Sheridan.
"Till date he has not been frisked while leaving India. That was the first occasion. However, when he travels abroad he goes through the regular drill of going through detectors but that is minimal," Sheridan told IANS.
India has a list of VIPs exempted from routine security checks and frisking. This is applicable even when they are travelling by commercial flights.
The list includes the president, vice-president, prime minister, former presidents, Lok Sabha Speaker, chief ministers, chief justices of the Supreme Court and high courts, the cabinet secretary, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and members of her family.
The airline has defended its action stating it was company policy to conduct security checks on all passengers and it did not make a distinction for VIPs.
Since he stepped down from office in July 2007, Kalam has been a regular traveller abroad, invited by universities and think tanks for lectures and attending seminars.
"He has been to the US alone four times already and is off again in September for receiving an award from the California Institute of Technology," Sheridan said.
"We just got back from Dhaka this afternoon where the former president was given royal treatment."
Kalam was in Dhaka on a three-day visit and met with Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus and attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Zillur Rahman.
This is not the first time that Indian politicians or VIPs have been subjected to frisking.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was forced to undergo security checks at the ceremonial lounge at Moscow airport last year while he was on his way back to India, creating a diplomatic flutter.
However, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee called off a scheduled official visit to London in October last year after he was told he would be frisked at Heathrow airport. He was then invited by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
That was the second time Chatterjee cancelled a foreign trip for the same reason. In April 2005, he called off a trip to Sydney after the government refused to exempt him from security frisking.
'Kalam had No Problems with Frisking'
New Delhi, July 21 (IANS): Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was subjected to a body search for the first time by employees of a US airline in Delhi when he was boarding a flight in April to Newark, his office said Tuesday, adding he does go through the standard security drill while travelling abroad.
The issue created a storm in the Rajya Sabha with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel promising a probe into the incident and saying a show-cause notice would be sent to the carrier.
"He did not complain when he was frisked and took in his stride. Everyone was being checked and so was he," said Kalam's personal secretary H.Sheridan.
Kalam was frisked by the ground staff of Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) when he was on the aerobridge while boarding the non-stop flight to Newark, New Jersey.
"He had left the ceremonial lounge and there were a few airlines staff on the aerobridge who were checking passengers," said Sheridan.
"Till date he has not been frisked while leaving India. That was the first occasion. However, when he travels abroad he goes through the regular drill of going through detectors but that is minimal," Sheridan told IANS.
India has a list of VIPs exempted from routine security checks and frisking. This is applicable even when they are travelling by commercial flights.
The list includes the president, vice-president, prime minister, former presidents, Lok Sabha Speaker, chief ministers, chief justices of the Supreme Court and high courts, the cabinet secretary, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and members of her family.
The airline has defended its action stating it was company policy to conduct security checks on all passengers and it did not make a distinction for VIPs.
Since he stepped down from office in July 2007, Kalam has been a regular traveller abroad, invited by universities and think tanks for lectures and attending seminars.
"He has been to the US alone four times already and is off again in September for receiving an award from the California Institute of Technology," Sheridan said.
"We just got back from Dhaka this afternoon where the former president was given royal treatment."
Kalam was in Dhaka on a three-day visit and met with Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus and attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Zillur Rahman.
This is not the first time that Indian politicians or VIPs have been subjected to frisking.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was forced to undergo security checks at the ceremonial lounge at Moscow airport last year while he was on his way back to India, creating a diplomatic flutter.
However, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee called off a scheduled official visit to London in October last year after he was told he would be frisked at Heathrow airport. He was then invited by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
That was the second time Chatterjee cancelled a foreign trip for the same reason. In April 2005, he called off a trip to Sydney after the government refused to exempt him from security frisking.
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