All preparations have been made to prevent any untoward incidents during the 64th Republic Day celebrations to be held at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds here on Saturday. Security has been strengthened and several closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at all the gates and around the grounds, said J.P. Mirji, City Police Commissioner.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, he said the police had not received any inputs about any anti-national activities from the Intelligence. The police had conducted anti-sabotage checks, besides verifying and checking all visitors to the parade grounds, he said. Apart from the CCTV cameras, selected police personnel and a few identified citizens will also be given hand-held cameras to record the goings on at the parade grounds.
He also said that over 2,000 police personnel, including eight Deputy Commissioners of Police, 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 50 inspectors, 100 sub inspectors, 20 women sub inspectors and 380 traffic police, have been deputed for bandobast duty. A few sub inspectors would patrol around the parade grounds. "All these preparations are already in place. The participants and citizens have nothing to fear," Mr. Mirji said.
Earlier, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah said that the flag hoisting would be held at 9 a.m. Governor H.R. Bhardwaj is expected to arrive at the parade grounds at 8.58 a.m. Helicopters of the Indian Air Force will shower flowers from the sky while Mr. Bhardwaj hoists the National Flag.
Seating arrangements had been made for more than 12,000 people. He also said that for the past three days, the rehearsals were being held at the grounds. He said 52 contingents of 1,600 persons, including schoolchildren and personnel from the Armed services and police, would be taking part in the March Past. That apart, around 2,500 children from various schools in the city would be participating in the four cultural programmes that will follow the flag hoisting.
Emergency
The BBMP’s Disaster Management Cell has put in place a medical team of 150 persons on the site. It will include 20 ambulances, 50 doctors, 40 nurses and 10 pharmacists. Also on site will be 40 drivers and assistants, 10 engineering gang men. As part of the off-site preparedness, the BBMP has identified around 28 hospitals around the city and reserved 120 beds for emergencies. Around 150 doctors and 150 paramedical staff will be pressed into service during these emergencies. Twenty pharmacies and blood banks have also been identified.
