Top

17,500 security personnel for Independence Day fete

About 5,500 personnel will be involved in the security of I-Day celebrations of the state at Fort St George.

Chennai: The city is brought under thick security cover with about 17,500 police personnel on the streets ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

Anti-sabotage teams had been formed and it had checked Fort St George where Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa will unfurl the tricolour on Monday morning.

About 5,500 personnel will be involved in the security of I-Day celebrations of the state at Fort St George. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams will keep maintain round-the-clock checks of the campus until the event gets over.

Fort St George premises will be out of bounds for unauthorized visitors throughout the day. Intensified anti-sabotage and vehicular checks were being held across the city as part of enhanced security arrangements.

Complementing the local police, about 12,000 more personnel drawn from various wings of the state police were deployed in key locations. All vital installations had been brought under surveillance besides beefing up security.
Snipers have been positioned at several “vantage positions” that would witness VVIP movement on that day. Frisking of passengers and their baggage were carefully done at railway stations and Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT).
Visitors’ entry to airport had been banned since August 8 following a nationwide sabotage alert sounded by central agencies.

All lodges, mansions and hotels are being checked and they have been asked to cooperate with police in providing information on suspected movements.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
Next Story