Safety of Collectorate Called into Question

KOCHI: The security of the district headquarters comes under question. Even after the bomb explosion at the Collectorate in Kakkanad two years ago, the authorities seem to be in a slumber. Appointing four ex-servicemen on duty and installing two surveillance cameras in front of District Collector’s and Additional District Magistrate’s chamber are the steps taken so far. The issue of proper surveillance still remains unattended.Initially four ex-servicemen were appointed as baton guards, now there are only three. The authorities concerned have not bothered to fill this vacancy.When asked about the security measures taken at the Collectorate, District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth said, “We have installed two surveillance cameras. A proposal has been forwarded to the state government to install surveillance cameras to monitor the visitors to the collectorate.”  Though visitors should sign a register and show their identities before entering the Collectorate, it is not strictly followed. The situation is such that anybody can come and go whenever they want.It looks like security is needed only for certain occasions. On the first anniversary of the bomb explosion, authorities saw that the visitors were frisked with a metal detector, sources said.The Collectorate is abuzz with activity and a proper surveillance should be in place as risks are high.“Though the office starts functioning by 10 am in the morning, there are hardly any staff in the departments till 11.30 am, with the exception of a few departments. The absence of proper security and staff at the place makes it very vulnerable to attack,” said sources.Sources also said that the inquiry ordered to probe the bomb explosion has not reached anywhere. “The inquiry that was carried with much furore ended abruptly,” they said.It was on July 10, 2009, that the fateful incident took place at the Collectorate in Kakkanad. The bomb explosion ripped through the fifth floor at 3 pm and left one person slightly injured.