ID :
368661
Mon, 05/25/2015 - 13:08
Auther :

Stringent Security Protocol A Way of Life in India

Delhi Diary By M.Santhiran NEW DELHI, May 25 (Bernama) -- Be it the airports, railway stations, government buildings and most major private premises, they all have one thing in common - stringent security protocol. Thus the average visitor to India will find the stern security personnel and the scanner machines an ubiquitous sight, even in odd places like major temples, shopping complexes, exhibitions and fast food outlets. Though the tight security procedures could prove to be one too many and annoying, they have become part and parcel of living in India. It is my fourth month here now and I have lost count on the number of times that I had been stopped, frisked and have passed through the body scanners. Suffice to say, my daily routine will not be complete without going through the security protocol. My frequent trips to the Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry to work out my visa was initially stressful as the thorough body-search that I had to endure and number of times that I have to pass through the scanners. INDIA'S SECURITY PHOBIA? While observers will brush off India's preoccupation with security as a psychological extension of the 'Pak phobia', fear of its foe Pakistan, history has proven that security threats are real in India. However, the threat does not come from Pakistan alone. Home grown militant outfits like the Moaists in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarhand and other religious affiliated groups also pose persistent threat. In Dec 13, 2001, two Pakistan-based terrorist groups Ashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Parliament building, killing 15 people and leaving at least 20 injured. In its recent history, the country of 1.3 billion people witnessed a daring terrorist attack by the Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taibain militant group in Mumbai. The Nov 26, 2008 attack lasted for four days killing 164 people including tourists and wounding at least 308. And the attacks in small scale continue till today. On May 1, 2014 a bomb exploded on a Guwahati-bound train from Bangalore, in Chennai killing one person and injuring 14 others. Six months earlier another bomb went off in Patna during a rally. So there is a real security threat in India. Therefore major cities like Delhi and Mumbai are the hot targets of militant groups, giving rise to the security phobia on the authorities' part. SECURITY AT AIRPORT, TRAIN STATIONS AND TOURIST SPOTS Managing the security protocol is the responsibility of the Indian army, that is why often many feel intimidated when coming across men in military uniform and armed with AK-47 rifles. They keep a constant watch on the movements of people, beside CCTV cameras. Here at Indra Gandhi International Airport and other airports in the country, there is no luxury of friends and relatives accompanying passengers to check in. Only those with air tickets and valid travel documents are allowed to enter the departure hall. For me, its a good move in avoiding unnecessary crowding at the departure hall. And due to the stringent checks especially in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, it is advisable to be at the airport at least three-hours before departure. The situation is almost the same at railway stations and metro stations, where all your luggage have to be scanned by the x-ray machines and only those with platform tickets are allowed into the boarding area. FASTFOOD OUTLETS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING COMPLEXES Even going to fast-food outlets or restaurants one has to pass the scanner but will be greeted with friendlier and smiling security guards. CCTV cameras are located at all corners at major shopping complexes and even in parking lots. Even during my recent trip to a shopping mall in Gurgaon, a modern city bordering Delhi and the state of Haryana, within minutes a guard arrived to help my assistant to locate the car. However, hotels especially 5-star hotels, follow much more stringent security measures. The attack at Mumbai's iconic Taj Hotel serves as a grim reminder how vulnerable the hotels in India are. It's compulsory all cars entering the hotel grounds to go through bomb detectors with boot and bonnet checked before being allowed to enter. Likewise, the hotel guests' movements are limited to their respective floors and common facilities. At major temples and tourist spots, for security reasons no electronic devices are allowed including handphones and cameras. Visitors have to leave all personal belongings in their vehicles or with their guides. At most tourist spots handphones and cameras are allowed with some payment. However, for the 20 million locals here the stringent security protocol is just part and parcel of life. I too have learnt to live with it. -- BERNAMA

X