In the wake of terror attacks in Mumbai, government and important commercial agencies are increasingly relying on private security guards. Industries and offices, which previously faced bomb threats, have skipped the idea of involving policemen to guard their premises. Strangely enough, this has been done despite a circular issued all over the state by the police department that puts private agencies under scanner following recent incidents involving them.

“We have increased the security measures, but we do not have policemen guarding our premises. We have six private security personnel including a woman security guard, who has been recently appointed. We have also asked for four Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras,” said M K Chablani, Public Relations Officer of the Vadodara branch of the I-T Department.

Chablani had asked for police security right after the Ahmedabad blasts. “However, only four unarmed policemen were posted at the premises. Then we asked armed private security guards to man the area. After the situation improved, we asked them not to carry their firearms at all times,” he said, adding that the department received two bomb threats this year after the July 26 Ahmedabad blasts.

Interestingly, the Central Excise Building that shares the boundary wall with the I-T Department in the Alkapuri area of Vadodara does not have a single security guard. Sources within the department said since excise officials are always armed, there is no need for security. However, there were no officials to comment on the security issue.

Elsewhere, at the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), security has been tightened. Private security guards are checking everyone entering the premises, while registering their details for further reference. The building also has three CCTV cameras. Arti Basu, a senior member of VCCI said that security at the Makarpura Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation is dependent on private security guards.

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