By IANS,
Hyderabad : From CDs on how to identify bombs to phone messages asking people to be vigilant, police here are coming out with novel ways to involve the common man in countering terrorism.
Following last week’s blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, police have embarked on a campaign to alert masses through multi-lingual CDs, which are being distributed free of cost to business establishments.
The “Voice Against Terrorism” CD in Telugu, English and Hindi, informing people about what measures to take to prevent terror attacks, will be played over the public adress systems of shopping malls, cinema halls, railway stations and bus stands.
“If business establishments fail to play the CD every half an hour, thier licences can be cancelled,” said a statement issued by the police commissioner’s office.
Officials said similar CDs would also be supplied to schools to create awareness among students.
The police are also planning to enlist the support of telecom companies to replace the normal dial tone of landline phones with anti-terror alert messages, which will explain to people how they can identify bombs and terrorists.
Police vehicles equipped with public address systems will also continuously move around the city, blaring anti-terror alerts.
Advising people to be vigilant, Hyderabad Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao said people should inform the nearest police station or dial 100 if they notice anyone moving suspiciously or find articles like tiffin boxes, suitcases, wooden boxes, travel bags and gift articles left unattended at public places.
Hyderabad was rocked by three blasts last year. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid on May 18 while twin blasts at a public park and a famous eatery claimed 43 lives on Aug 25.
Police blamed Bangladesh-based terror group Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI) for the terror attacks. Though some suspects were arrested, no terrorist directly involved in the blasts was apprehended.