Security arrangements at the US Comercial Office, US Visa Application Centre and British Trade Centre have been beefed up following the horrendous attack on the US consulate in Kolkata on Tuesday. Though apprehension grips the officials of these offices, they are satisfied with the arrangement.

According to Savio Gonsalves, of the US Commercial office in Ambawadi area of the city, the office has been extremely particular when it comes to security. "We have been taking care of the security arrangements from the very beginning. Also, the police has been very co-operative in this matter."

Though Mr. Gonsalves did not disclose the kind of arrangement, due to "security reasons", he expressed satisfaction with the kind of security measures taken by the city police.

A senior official of British Trade Centre located in the same area said, "We were quite concerned after there were revelations that similar attacks could happen in Gujarat. However, since September 11 terrorist attacks on World Trade Centre in the US, we have tightened the security."

There are policemen who are continuously patrolling in plain clothes to avoid any untoward incident, the official added. He added that it is not only because of the attacks in Kolkata, but there are many police officiers who reside in the same area.

However, when asked whether the office required immediate security personnel posted, the official said, "We do not want an immediate measure of having a very tight security, as people would find it difficult to approach the office." Police commissioner P. C. Pande assured that the security was adequate to avoid any untoward incident.