15,000 cops deployed in Chennai for Independence Day security

Chennai: After receiving an intelligence alert from central agencies, more than 15,000 police personnel are to be deployed in Chennai city as a measure to beef up security ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Apart from deploying 5-tier security at the Fort St George where the main government event would take place, the entire police strength will be put to use in the state to make sure no untoward incident happens during the celebrations on Tuesday, police said here. 

Police disclosed that all lodges and hotels in the city have been told to keep an eye on their guests and report if they found anything abnormal about them. Sources said that even private bus stands are being checked and watched by the cops after the central agencies had asked them to be extra cautious this year.  All the central government offices are also now under the close watch of security agencies.

The police are already closely monitoring all railway stations, metro station and bus stands, including CMBT, besides places of worships and malls.  The mall owners in the city were also asked to closely monitor CCTV footage in their premises to make sure all persons in the premises are accounted for. “Though almost all of them have metal detectors at the entrance, we have asked the mall management to doubly ensure security this time,” a senior official said.

The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams are kept ready and asked to maintain round-the-clock checks of the important government campus, including Fort St George until the Independence Day events get over.

Chennai airport 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.  All vital installations had been brought under surveillance, besides beefing up security there.