Drills at mall, theatre ahead of R-Day

Police check security systems to ensure that people with firearms cannot enter the public places

NAVI MUMBAI: The police are already on their toes to ensure a safe Republic Day celebrations.

To ensure a peaceful celebration of upcoming Republic Day, the Navi Mumbai the police are conducting drills at the shopping malls, theatres and other public places of the city. The security has also been beefed up at all nodes in the past two days.

Two such drills were conducted at Kopar Khairane on Friday.

“We chose one shopping outlet and one theatre to check how much time our officials take to reach a spot in case of emergency. We also checked the security systems of these places to ensure that people with fire arms and explosives cannot enter their premises,” said Satish Gaikwad, senior police inspector from Kopar Khairane police station.

“Given the terror threats received by the police from other cities, we are taking all possible steps to prevent untoward situations during the celebrations.

More such drills will be conducted at other places in the next two to three days,” he added.

The police have also decided

to conduct nakabandis and checking at entry and exit points in the city.

“Our officers are patrolling the city round the clock to keep

all sensitive areas under surveillance. Assistant commissioners of police (ACP) and the senior police inspectors are supervising them,” said Dilip Sawant, deputy commissioner of police (crime).

“Combing operations and high security at public places have also been maintained. We also decided to provide extra security to the areas wherein public programmes will be conducted,” he said

The police are also checking lodges and hotels in the city to confirm that no suspicious people are staying there.

“The Konkan area that includes Vashi and NRI jetties will also have at least one police personnel patrolling the area. The Riot Control Police (RCP) platoons are also at our disposal for maintaining law and order,” said another police officer from DCP headquarters.

“All the permit room owners have been asked not to serve alcohol as it is a dry day on Republic Day. Stern action will be taken against anyone found flouting the directives,” he said.

THE POLICE HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO CONDUCT NAKABANDIS AND CHECKING AT ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS IN THE CITY