Home minister cautions against complacency post terror-free 2009

In the aftermath of the Pune blast, the first major attack in 14 months since the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, home minister P Chidambaram today warned against complacency and said everyone should be vigilant against possible terror strikes.

The home minister hinted that a terror-free 2009 might have resulted in complacency at certain quarters.
   
Recalling his speech during an Intelligence Bureau lecture in December 2009, Chidambaram asked everyone to be vigilant.

In his lecture, he had said, "...there is danger of a terror-free year inducing complacency, signs of which can be seen everywhere. A strange passivity seems to have descended upon the people."
    
Asking people to be more vigilant, Chidambaram said, "I would like to once again caution against complacency and advise greater vigilance. Shops, establishments, businesses, schools, colleges, hospital etc and above all, the people must be vigilant and take measures that will complement the measures taken by police to provide security."
   
On whether the probe into the Pune blast would be taken over by the National Investigation Agency, he said, "No decision has been taken on handing it over to NIA. I am informed that the investigation is one the right track. We just have to be a little more patient."

He said police had made security arrangements in Koregaon park, especially for the Osho Ashram and the Chabad house.
   
Police had issued a written advisory to all establishments in the area including German Bakery for enhancing security on October 9, 2009 and was reissued on December 12, 2009.

"Despite these measures, a bomb was exploded in the German bakery," he said.