The crisis management centre instituted in the Union home ministry after the 26/11 terror attack has been put to a real test with serial bombings ripping Mumbai on Wednesday. Officers upto the level of joint secretaries have been put on 3-6 hourly shifts to get constant updates on the developments related to the blasts. Officers of various divisions, including Naxal division and Jammu and Kashmir have been roped in the process.
The system formalised for “emergency’’ situations is operating from the 24/7 control room in the ministry for round the clock monitoring by the officers who are in constant touch with the state government, local police and other central agencies dispacted to the state for investigation and examination of evidences being collected from the blast sites. The officers in the control room are also doing night shifts. Many of the senior-rung officers, who were on duty on Wednesday night, also returned to their respective desks on Thursday to discharge their daily duties. A senior government official confessed that the process may be demanding, but the system has streamlined the efforts required to be undertaken quickly in such a scenario. Recalling the 26/11 terror attack, the officer said that the ministry is better equipped and “active’’ in its response. “This procedure is only adopted in emergent situations.