The Bombay High Court on Thursday questioned the state government on steps taken to enhance security measures after the 26/11 terror attacks. Hearing a public interest litigation filed by city-based advocate V P Patil,which demands action against top security officers,including the then National Security Advisor,for the lapses which led to the attack on Mumbai,the court on Thursday sought a reply from the state government detailing the preventive security measures taken in the aftermath of the attacks. Division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice V K Tahilramani persistently asked the state regarding the progress in setting up an NSG unit in Mumbai and training of local police force. The judges said that Commando presence must be there in Mumbai. The Union governments lawyer told the court that commando unit is already in operation in Mumbai,and NSG is in the process of training local commandos. The petitioner pointed out that during the attack,NSG commandos had no ready plane to bring them to Mumbai from Delhi,and once in Mumbai,they were transported by a bus to the terror spots. On this point,the High Court also sought information as to availability of helicopters for moving forces within the city. Although the court in an earlier occasion had directed the state to file an affidavit,the same is yet to be filed. The court cautioned the government not to take such things lightly. The judges have now directed them to file a reply on all these issues within two weeks.
