“People can come and participate in the Independence Day celebrations along with their children without any fear. There is no need to panic, as we have made elaborate security arrangements,” B.G. Jyothiprakash Mirji, Police Commissioner, has said.
The stage is set for the main function at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds on Monday.
Briefing presspersons here on Saturday about security arrangements for the event, Mr. Mirji said over 1,000 police personnel had been posted for bandobast. He said 10 deputy commissioners of police, 20 assistant commissioners of police, 40 inspectors, 80 sub-inspectors, and several plainclothes policemen had been deployed.
CCTV cameras
“We have taken elaborate steps based on intelligence reports. All areas of the parade grounds will be videographed by plainclothes policemen. There will also be CCTV coverage,” Mr. Mirji said.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Siddaiah, who is also president of the Independence Day Celebrations Committee, said 100 beds in 109 hospitals across the city had been reserved for emergency.
“Drinking water and toilets facilities have been provided at the venue. We will have an eight-bed mobile clinic, 12 ambulances and three fire tenders on the spot,” he added.
Mr. Siddaiah said the national flag would be hoisted by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda at 9 a.m.. He would then receive a guard of honour.
He said 39 contingents, including those from Home Guards, Karnataka State Reserve Police, National Cadet Corps and Seva Dal, would participate in the march past. Over 1,700 children from various schools would present cultural programmes.
Mr. Siddaiah said 2,000 seats had been reserved for VVIPs (entry from Gate Two); 2,000 seats for dignitaries, freedom fighters and defence personnel (entry from Gate One); 3,000 seats for government officials and retired defence personnel (entry from Gate Three); and 3,00 seats had been reserved for general public and they can enter the venue from Gate Four.
