Private citizens get Bullet Proof cars in Andhra

By U Sudhakar Reddy

More private citizens are making their cars bullet proof prompting the State Intelligence Security Wing to ask the government to come out with regulations on the issue.
The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles.
Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets.
"At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan.
Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda.
Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter.
The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage.
"It takes 70 days to bulletproof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added.
A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat.
"The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer.
The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police.
Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application."
However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.
More private citizens are making their cars bullet proof prompting the State Intelligence Security Wing to ask the government to come out with regulations on the issue. The Mana Party President and MLC, Mr Kasani Gnaneswar, is the latest prominent person to make his vehicle bullet proof. Media baron Ramoji Rao has already got three such vehicles. Sleuths are worried that the trend might catch on and Maoists and terrorists might soon be using such vehicles for their escapades. They also have similar worries about bullet proof jackets. "At present there is no law regulating the sale and use of such vehicles and we have asked the government to issue regulations," said the Additional Director-General of Police (law and order), Mr A.K. Khan. Many vehicles have been made bullet proof in the Real Car Auto Garage at Jeedimetla and Deccan Engineering Services at Kavadiguda. Bullet proof jackets are sold by Coolrok Technologies at Ameerpet. These agencies also do work for the police and are themselves keen on clear regulations in the matter. The slain Telugu Desam leader, Paritala Ravi, and the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu had fortified their vehicles in Real Car Auto Garage. "It takes 70 days to bullet- proof a vehicle and the cost comes to Rs 10 lakh," said an employee of the workshop. "We maintain the standards of Terminal Ballistic Research Lab and Bureau of Police Research." He added that the workshop passed on information about such vehicles to the police. "We will never sell the vehicles to anti social elements," he added. A senior police officer said that ministers and other VIPs of the state were provided with such cars because of the Maoist threat. "The ordnance factory is unable to meet the demand and we have to depend on private agencies," said the police officer. The police officer also pointed out that the Viswa Hindu Parishad at Delhi had procured such cars from Secure Mobile India Company Ltd, which has also provided services to the AP police. Ms Tannistha Chakrborty of Jalandhar-based Laggar Industries said the cost of making a car bullet proof was Rs 7 lakh. "We will secure the vehicle from wheel to roof," he said. "It will move ahead even if shot on the wheel. We need only an application." However, Mr Venkateswara Sharma of Coolrok said bullet proof jackets were sold only to those who submit letters from the concerned Superintendent of Police.