UT cops to get bulletproof safety

CHANDIGARH: Decks have been cleared for modernizing UT police armoury. The home department has approved purchase of bulletproof equipment for cops here. Procurement of 100 jackets, vests and head protectors each along with 10 bulletproof posts will be carried out soon.
Chandigarh police had tested 20 bulletproof jackets available with it in December.The jackets were found incapable of resisting fire from assault rifles like AK-47. Police officials told TOI that for ensuring improved protection, vests of level III-A variety, which came with special detachable plates, had been ordered.
Sources said home department had placed the order for the equipment with various companies on Friday. The need for improved gear was felt after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Cops said the new equipment would make anti-terrorism operations easier to carry out. Last time UT police purchased equipment was during the period of Punjab militancy, which ended a decade and a half ago.
SM Group from Delhi will provide the vests for Rs 7.23 lakh, while another capital-based firm, MKU Private Limited, will provide the jackets for Rs 22.14 lakh, said officials. They added that another Delhi-based firm ���Star Wire (India) Limited��� would deliver the bulletproof posts for Rs 15.69 lakh.
Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries will be providing the head protectors for Rs 96,975.
UT police had tested the new equipment at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in the last week of February, after technical bids were opened.
SM Group managing director Ashish Kansal said, ���We will be providing them with special plates with the vests, which will help in resisting fire from assault rifles.��� Talking about the equipment, a UT police expert said, ���We want mobility as well as protection. The level III-A specification vests would offer greater mobility and when there is threat of assault-rifle fire, the plates can be used for improved protection.���