S Rajendran/The Hindu

• It will tackle all anti-national activities 
• Men selected for the special force will be given a one-step promotion
• The selection process has commenced

Bangalore, Dec 1: Following the Mumbai terror attacks, the Karnataka Police are geared up to constitute a 750-strong comprehensive police wing to tackle all aspects of anti-national activities including terrorism and naxalism.

The special unit, which is stated to have received formal approval from Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Minister for Home V.S. Acharya, will have various components, including a section devoted to intelligence gathering and preventive measures, a large strike force and a section to investigate the cases.

It will be a fully trained and professional force, and the State government has also approved a scheme to put the strike force segment of the special wing through training in some of the Defence establishments.

Karnataka already has a special commando force trained by the National Security Guards.

The sources in the government indicated that the men selected for the special force would be given a one-step promotion straightway to serve as an incentive. A similar incentive has been provided by the government of Gujarat.

The incentive would, however, be applicable as long as the men remained part of the force, and on repatriation to their parent unit “they will be back in the same position.”

The selection process had commenced, they added. Mr. Yeddyurappa said the State government would provide all that the police required to strengthen the internal security mechanism. The government is also contemplating strengthening the police force in urban areas, particularly Bangalore.