CHENNAI: Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, a
five-tier security arrangement
has been made at
Fort St George
where the main government event will take place on Tuesday. Around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed in the city as part of the security arrangements.
State intelligence agencies
have received information that extremists may be plotting to sabotage the celebrations. Personnel from the city police, intelligence wings (state and central),
CISF and Railway Protection Force
have come together to provide cover to key installations in the city.
Besides railway stations, metro stations and bus stands, including CMBT, the authorities are monitoring places of worship and malls. A through check is being made at lodges and hotels in the city. All central government offices are also under the close watch of security agencies.
Mall owners in the city have been asked to install metal detectors at the entrance and ensure that all CCTVs are in working condition. Bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) teams have been kept ready and asked to maintain round-the-clock checks of important government offices including Fort St George. The majority of arterial roads are already under round-the-clock surveillance of CCTV cameras.
Apart from this, the intelligence wing is gathering information on suspicious activities, especially in view of the recent arrests of IS supporters in the state. The Chennai airport had already banned entry of visitors from last Tuesday until August 21. Intensified anti-sabotage and vehicular checks are being carried out at all entry points into the city.
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