VZCZCXRO6378
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHCG #0031/01 0120730
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 120730Z JAN 07
FM AMCONSUL CHENNAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0550
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2179
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4934
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0674

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENNAI 000031 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, DS/IP/SCA, DS/ITA AND DS/OSAC 
 
NEW DELHI FOR POL, RSO, FCS, DAO AND ODC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PINR ASEC CASC IN
SUBJECT: BANGALORE TOP COP CONFIDENT ON SECURITY 
 
REF: A) CHENNAI 015  B) 06 CHENNAI 2467 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Karnataka's new Director General of Police says 
multinational companies and other Western interests need not be 
worried about security in Bangalore, India's high-tech hub and the 
reported target of recently arrested terror suspects.  He assured 
us, however, that security forces are not complacent and are 
actively pursuing investigations of the suspects.  Very positively 
inclined towards the U.S., the DGP promised special attention for 
U.S. interests during the upcoming Aero India air show and offered 
hope of improved liaison on law enforcement matters.  End summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Bangalore Security: "Let Them Not Be Worried" 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In a January 9 meeting with Chennai Principal Officer, 
Karnataka's new Director General of Police (DGP), K.R. Srinivasan, 
said American and other companies in Bangalore need not be worried 
about security.  Responding to questions about the January 6 arrest 
near Bangalore of suspected terrorist Imran (ref a) and the October 
27 arrests in Mysore (ref b), Srinivasan offered his personal 
assessment that terrorists are unlikely to target Bangalore, 
preferring to take advantage of the city's cosmopolitan, 
multi-language atmosphere as a place where they can blend-in and 
take "R&R" rather than make a target.  The DGP, who assumed office 
on January 1, quickly added, however, that the police are "not 
complacent."  Regarding the Imran arrest, Srinivasan said police 
interrogators from Imran's native Jammu and Kashmir and from 
Maharashtra are taking the lead in questioning the suspect.  He also 
said the police are moving cautiously in order not to "spook" 
Imran's contacts in the local community. 
 
¶3. (SBU) We stressed to DGP Srinivasan our interest in details about 
the terror suspects, particularly any connections to the U.S. such 
as the supposed money transfers via the U.S. to the Mysore suspects. 
 While acknowledging the validity of our inquiries, Srinivasan noted 
that sometimes information must move from "desk to desk," such as 
between relevant Indian authorities and our Embassy.  He was more 
optimistic, however, about our request for biographic information on 
the suspects (for purposes such as Visas Viper) and promised to 
follow up informally in that regard. 
 
--------------------------- 
Arrangements for Aero India 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) DGP Srinivasan said the Karnataka State Police, which he 
directs, have overall security responsibility for the Aero India air 
show which Bangalore will host in early February.  He assured us he 
is aware of the large U.S. military and commercial participation 
planned for the show, and he offered to provide extra security for 
the hotels and facilities where U.S. personnel will stay. 
Srinivasan added that he soon will meet with the Chief of the Indian 
Air Force to review security arrangements for Aero India.  He said 
that although there will be minor "inconveniences" for security 
reasons, Aero India will run smoothly and safely.  We told the DGP 
that Ambassador Mulford is very likely to attend part of the air 
show and that we will provide details about his program and that of 
other high level U.S. officials as those become available. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Promise for Enhanced Security Liaison 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) We also briefed DGP Srinivasan on the role of post's 
Regional Security Officer, emphasizing his responsibility for the 
security of all U.S. officials personnel and facilities in South 
India, including Bangalore, and his advisory role for U.S. 
businesses and non-official interests.  Srinivasan enthusiastically 
welcomed the opportunity to meet the RSO, which we offered to 
arrange as soon as possible, and he promised close and regular 
liaison.  He even provided his mobile telephone number to pass to 
the RSO, saying we should call directly about any security needs. 
 
------------------------- 
Comment: Over Confidence? 
------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment: Open and positive, DGP Srinivasan exuded 
friendship towards the U.S., recalling earlier dealings with 
Consulate and Embassy officials and proudly telling us about his 
U.S. citizen son, U.S. resident daughter and other family 
connections in the U.S.  While there can be no doubt about his 
friendship and good will, we hope his confidence in Bangalore's 
 
CHENNAI 00000031  002 OF 002 
 
 
security is not misplaced.  The recent arrests are disquieting at 
the least, and it occurs to us that Mumbai's cosmopolitan, 
multi-language atmosphere certainly has not discouraged its 
targeting by terrorists.  Notable, however, is that the DGP is not 
the only person seemingly confident about Bangalore security.  Asked 
about security and the recent arrests, Sammy Sana, head of 
Motorola's Bangalore-based Global Software Group and current chair 
of the local American Chamber of Commerce, quickly assured us that 
major multi-nationals such as Motorola are confident in their robust 
security arrangements.  End comment. 
Hopper