Security beefed up in city for Independence Day
MUMBAI: Mumbai Police stepped up security across the city in view of the Independence Day celebrations.
Additional police personnel have been deployed at important government installations such as Mantralaya, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), etc. Security cover has also been strengthened at major religious places, market areas, hotels, railway and metro stations, bus depots, atomic research centres and defence installations, said a police officer.
There is no specific terror alert from intelligence agencies to Mumbai this year ahead of Independence Day, but the police prepared a comprehensive security arrangement. Deputy commissioner of police (DCP- operations) Chaitanya Siriprolu, who is also Mumbai Police spokesperson, said, “Units of bomb disposal and detection squad (BDDS) will regularly scan the premises of major government and private installations. Police will be posted at important government offices such as Mantralaya, and anti-sabotage measures such as frisking and checking of premises by BDDS will be carried out.”
All police stations will maintain high alert in the form of static deployment and patrolling to prevent any untoward incident, DCP added.
Anti-terror cell (ATC) and beat officers in all police stations have been activated to gather intelligence. Night patrolling staff and good morning squads have been directed to be on high alert to prevent law and order issues, the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said.
Officers from the social media lab (SML) would ensure extensive vigilance on social media platforms to ensure that offensive and sensitive posts are prevented from going viral and disrupting law-and-order situation, another officer said.
Crime branch personnel will also be part of the security bandobast and will patrol in plain clothes. The city’s combat teams and quick response team (QRT) will be stationed strategically on standby for immediate response, if required.
The police on Friday also carried out a mass prevention drive – All Out Operation. In this drive, the police carried out surprise checking, nakabandi, combing operations. intensified patrolling and nabbed 79 wanted accused. The combing operation was carried out at 230 places.
The police also arrested 121 accused under anti-narcotics laws, while 37 people were held for illegal possession of weapons.