“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.

“Several factories are guarded by private security guards. We do not depend on the police, as they take a lot of time to investigate anything from murders to scams in the GIDC areas. Even yesterday, I noticed two policemen dozing off at the police chowki in the GIDC area, so why should I or any industrialist trust policemen for our security?” said Basu.

Elsewhere, the police department continues to be wary of private security guards. A senior police officer said that though there is no harm in employing private security guards, the question of their legitimacy in fighting crime does arise. “There have been several incidents in the recent past involving private security guards. People should check all possible details before employing them,” said a police officer.

Major govt establishments remain unguarded
Some major government establishments remain unguarded in the city. At the Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital on Monday, 50 private security guards, clad in black commando gear, were seen on the premises; but not a single guard was seen at the place on Tuesday. Hospital authorities had said they had sent the request to the state Home Department for an approval for deploying more guards at the hospital. Hospital administrator M S Gadhvi said they have signed a deal with the Stallion Industrial Security Force (SISF) to provide 112 more security guards at the premises.

“We are just waiting for the government approval. On Monday, these personnel from SISF had come for a rehearsal. Once the Home Department gives its approval, they will be deployed at the points identified by us,” Gadhvi said, adding that six points have been identified within the premises in this regard.

Elsewhere, not a single security guard was seen at the VTCOS city bus stand or the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation office. Officials from both departments said they have plans to improve the security, but it is yet to be implemented.