Security should be everyone’s concern

One of the first things Mumbai needs to do — to tackle terror or a crisis of comparable proportions — is to let citizens know that ‘security is everyone’s business’, not just the government’s. The authorities should form a crisis management committee including the chief secretary (home), the municipal commissioner, police commissioner and the heads of specially-designated crisis cells, and meet at least once a month to review preparedness. Also, there should be only one decision maker, one point of action and preferably one (professional) communicator to keep both the dissemination of information and any rumours and panic, in check.

These are just some of the suggestions drawn up the city groups Bombay First and Citizens Action Group, in a White Paper on Crisis Management in Mumbai. The recommendations focus more on tackling terror; not surprisingly, since they evolved from a conference, after November 26, attended by security experts from around the world. On Monday, the White  Paper — which has been given to chief minister Ashok Chavan and Home minister — will be made public.

 “It’s now up to the government which of the guidelines it will implement,” says Bombay First chairman Narinder Nayar. The White Paper suggests a Directorate of Crisis Management (DCM), carved out of the police, and a Directorate of Civil Defence (DCD), drawn from the Municipal Council of Greater Mumbai, but with volunteers from the general citizenry.

What is significant about the White Paper is that it has inputs from anti-terror officials abroad. Bombay First worked closely with its UK counterpart London First which, in turn, was in touch with Homeland Security officials in the US. “There have not been any major attacks in either the US or London after 9/11 and 7/7, respectively,” adds Nayar.
“Security agencies there must be doing something right. We have to learn from them.”