Concerned over the 'porous' nature of cantonments, a Security Convergence Meeting was held in Secunderabad between the Local Military Authority (LMA) and the Telangana State Police on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by Telangana and Andhra Sub-Area General Officer Commanding Major General N Srinivas Rao and state Director General of Police (DGP) M Mahender Reddy.
Stating that security was a big concern, Major General Rao mentioned the highways next to the cantonment in Bowenpally. He also pointed out that there was a large population of civilians in and around Secunderabad cantonment, which would further increase the security threat.
The meeting also saw several external and internal security issues being discussed. There was also a review on the preparedness of the NSG, Octopus and Greyhounds for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
“Such convergence meetings between the armed forces and police are very important to develop a rapport between officials and get prepared to face any contingency," Mahendar Reddy was quoted as saying.
The DGP also said that a representative of the Armed Forces would be welcome at at the police's Integrated Command Control Centre coming up at Banjara Hills, for increased coordination.
Others who attended the meeting included Commandants of all military and Air Force establishments in the station, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Jitender, Inspector General of Police (IGP Home Guards) B Bala Naga Devi, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar, Rachakonda Police Commissioner, Mahesh Bhagwat, Cyberabad Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar, IGP (Intelligence) V Naveen Chand, and representatives of the National Security Guard (NSG), Grey Hounds and Octopus units.
Background
This is the first such security meeting after around 11 roads in the Secunderabad cantonment area were reopened last month after a directive from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The directive came after the Defence Minister convened a meeting with Members of Parliament and elected Vice Presidents of all 62 Cantonment Boards on May 4.
The closure of roads affected several residents living in adjoining areas such as Marredpally, Neredmet, Safilguda, Sainikpuri, Ammuguda and Yapral, among several others, impacting almost 10 lakh citizens.
Citizens have been up in arms as the LMA, over a period of time, shut 25 roads in the area. Some of these included arterial roads that turned even an 800-metre ride into an 8-km detour.