R-Day security blankets Chennai

A multi-layer security arrangement has been put in place at the State Secretariat and all other places of importance in the city in view of the 64th Republic Day celebrations on Saturday. Around 8,000 police personnel will be deployed on security duty to prevent any untoward incident.

Additional forces have been mobilised from the Armed Reserve Police in the State.

City Police Commissioner S George, Additional Commissioners P Thamaraikannan and S Rajeshdas are monitoring the security arrangements in the city.

The City Police have brought the entire stretch along the Marina Beach, where the Republic Day celebrations are being held, under their control. The stretch was searched for explosives with the help of sniffer dogs round the clock.

Passengers and visitors at the Central and Egmore Railway Stations were made to pass through Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) as a precautionary measure. Their luggage was also screened. The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus at Koyambedu was also brought under surveillance.

The Intelligence Section of the City Police is keeping a track on activities and communication of terror suspects, while surprise checks were carried out at crowded places, including shopping malls.

Public have been requested to alert police control rooms in case they come across any suspicious or abandoned baggages/luggage.

As the Airport authorities are also gearing up for the inauguration of the new terminals at the Chennai Airport, security has been tripled with the additional deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

The Coastal Security Group has also been placed on high alert to monitor the sea front and sea patrol was also put in place along Tamil Nadu’s territorial waters.