Security beefed up for R-Day
LUCKNOW : The state police have beefed up security and intensified vigilance in the state capital in view of Republic Day celebrations on Saturday. The special intelligence sleuths are on their toes this year in the wake of ISIS inspired terror module unearthed from west UP districts and Delhi only a few weeks back.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani said the Lucknow police have sought help from UP Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) to deploy their commandos for the security arrangements of VVIP arena and R-Day parade route. Moreover, three to four dedicated drones will be deployed to keep aerial vigil on the entire parade route during the event, he said.
Naithani said the intelligence sleuths are collecting details about suspicious people staying in rented accommodations in the city.
He said those people staying in hotels, guesthouses and lodges for long duration are also on their radar.
He said their identities would be crosschecked and verified from their native places.
Moreover, the extensive checking drives in malls, railway stations and bus stations are also being done, he added.
The SSP said three separate categories of teams have been formed for the task. He said multiple teams of intelligence sleuths are keeping a close watch on suspicious activities going on around the parade route and other strategic positions. He said the police officials had also held meeting with the owners of hotels and guesthouses to get their assistance in keeping tab on suspicious people staying in the city.
“The entire parade route is divided into three zones and five sectors whose security arrangements will be under supervision of seven additional superintendents of police (ASP) and 13 deputy SPs while 1,000 inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables and constables will be deployed along the entire parade route,” he explained.
He said the third categories of teams are formed at the police stations level and a separate devoted team at the police station level has been deployed for conducting frequent checking at crowded places.