The plan to get the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to keep watch on the whole of the hi-tech city in Bangalore may not happen. Instead, the CISF has offered to provide round-the-clock commando cover for Infosys and Wipro, a security plan submitted to the home ministry by the paramilitary force and accessed by DNA reveals.
Both IT giants will each pay Rs2 crore a year to have the CISF guard their campuses.
The companies will also provide food and shelter to the security personnel. Three commando units of 50 men each will be stationed on the campuses.
Officers have suggested that electronic wiring be installed around the campuses to detect intruders.The Infosys and Wipro managements wrote to prime minister Manmohan Singh soon after the Mumbai terror strikes last November, asking for security.
The PM forwarded the letter to the home ministry, with a note that the institutions should be protected as they are “national assets”. The home ministry suggested that paramilitary personnel should only provide back-up security and not man gates.
A CISF audit pointed out that the security system provided by private agencies is good on both campuses, and private guards will continue at the gates along with local police.
“There are two basic difficulties in guarding the whole hi-tech city. Firstly, it acts like a traders’ body, which is why reimbursement of bills and payment of salaries to personnel are a matter of concern. Secondly, the area is so vast, with so many entry-exit points, that security personnel will find it difficult to keep track of all visitors,” a senior home ministry official said.
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