Coimbatore City and rural areas are being brought under a tight security cordon as a precautionary measure in view of the Independence Day celebrations scheduled for Thursday.
In Coimbatore City, more than 2,000 police personnel are being drafted for the security arrangements.
Security arrangements are being overseen by City Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan and are being implemented by Deputy Commissioners of Police, Pravesh Kumar (Law and Order), K. Sugumar (Crime), T.K. Rajasekaran (Traffic).
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All roads have been brought under tight vigil by reactivating the check posts with armed police personnel. Armed pickets are being posted across the city at sensitive pockets. Lodge checks and checks at places of public congregation are also being stepped up.
Armed guards are being posted at vital installations. Railway has temporarily suspended acceptance of parcels. Passengers are being frisked and their luggage is being scanned. To avoid crowding of passengers at the frisking point, police have advised passengers to turn up at the railway station well ahead of the departure of trains.
The VOC Park area in the city has already been taken over by the police, where the District Collector M. Karunagaran is scheduled to hoist the tri-colour on Thursday.
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Anti-Sabotage Teams (AST) of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) of the city police have already conducted checks.
Security arrangements would include surveillance by police personnel equipped with binoculars, from the tops of high-rise buildings.
In Coimbatore Rural District, security arrangements are overseen by Superintendent of Police — Coimbatore Rural District M. Sudhkar.
Vigil is being tightened at Pollachi, Valparai and Mettupalayam and in other sensitive pockets. More than 1,500 police personnel are being deployed for the security arrangements.
District Collector M. Karunagaran on Tuesday announced that as per rule IX of Flag Code of India 2002, having flags fixed in the front of cars and motor vehicles by public is not permitted and this was allowed only in the case of Ministers and top Government officials already permitted under the rule.
Our Tirupur Staff Reporter adds:
Tirupur Collector G. Govindaraj on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting of senior police and revenue officials in the district to evaluate the security arrangements made ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.
Collectorate sources said tight security was provided at Government Chikkanna College grounds where the Independence Day celebrations are to be held.