Wednesday, March 9 2005 16:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: In the backdrop of intelligence reports suggesting threat by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants to attack software units in the city, the Government today (Mar 9, 2005) assured them that it would provide necessary protection.

Minister for Industries P G R Sindhia told reporters in Bangalore, "there is no need for any apprehension by industries over these threats. Government will provide security to them".

He said that he would invite industrialists for a dialogue on the security related issues after the coming budget session.

Industrialists, particularly from software sector, have not expressed fears over LeT's reported threats, he maintained and claimed the investment inflow into the State has been witnessing an upward trend.

Karnataka was contemplating to set up a special economic zone to promote hardware industries in the State, Sindhia said.

He said that it has been decided to expand the Apparel Park in Doddaballapur and about 350 acres of land was being acquired.