Operation BAD — the serial blasts in Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi — has sounded the warning.
Operation BAD — the serial blasts in Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi — has sounded the warning. The city knows it could be the next target. Mumbai police are aware that their network of informants alone would not suffice to ward off a terror attack in the nation’s financial capital.
So, in association with Idea Cellular, the police on Tuesday began the Alert Mumbaikar campaign. Together they launched Idea Safe Mumbai Helpline — 9702100100 — a 24-hour toll-free number. The citizens can also call the cops on 100 and 1090 to convey any information.
Mumbai police commissioner Hasan Gafoor said that a survey, conducted by advertising agency Lintas for Mumbai police, has revealed that while 79 per cent Mumbaikars are aware of terror threat, a mere three per cent are on the alert. “We want to bridge this gap between those who are aware and those who are alert,”
said Gafoor.
The survey which sampled 500 Mumbaikars has further revealed that 87 per cent people believe that they are immune to terror blasts, 10 per cent believe that they might fall prey, while 3 per cent are not sure, added the commissioner.
The police and Idea have come out with several hoardings and posters to spread awareness among the citizens. “These stickers and posters, in Hindi, English and Marathi, will be pasted on buses, trains, taxies, at malls, bus stops, multiplexes and parking lots,” said Vinay Kargaonkar, additional commissioner of police (protection and security).
Actor Shahid Kapur, who attended the campaign launch, said, “When I heard about this concept, I felt that it’s a very basic way to be on the alert. The police are just asking us to be more vigilant, to keep our eyes and ears open. I think that the time has come for us to take the responsibility of helping the police. It’s a very good cause and I think we all should participate in it.”
When asked how geared up were the cops to tackle terrorism, Gafoor said, “We are holding meetings with managements of malls, theatre owners and boards of holy places. They have been briefed about the security measures needed to be taken. All the CCTV cameras installed by us in the city are working.”
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