Security blanket for I-Day

Police to watch tourist spots, crowded areas in city

Flagging off celebrations: Residents of Tivoli and Evita societies in Powai carry a 60ft x 40ft Tricolour they will hoist between the two buildings on Thursday.

Mumbai will celebrate India’s 73rd Independence Day under a tight security blanket. At least 40,000 police personnel, including officers, jawans of Local Arms, Central Reserve Police Force, Riot Control and traffic divisions will be deployed in the city and suburbs, a Mumbai Police spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Safety measures will be enhanced in crowded areas, and to maintain traffic, with extra attention to tourist spots like Gateway of India and Juhu Chowpatty.

“There will be complete CCTV coverage, and adequate video-based detection systems have been installed in various places,” a police spokesperson said while also requesting people to report any suspicious behaviour to the police. Nakabandi or security blockades are up at main entry points and checking of vehicles is also under way, the spokesman said.

Mumbai Police have launched combing operations in slums, hotels, lodges and guest houses to flush out antisocial elements.

Watching the coast

In Navi Mumbai at least 800 police personnel will be on the roads as part of the Independence Day security measures. With the Kashmir issue trending on social media, the police have given special attention to coastal security. “There is no specific threat to Navi Mumbai but we are on alert against the backdrop of current scenario in Jammu & Kashmir. Special attention is being given to coastal security,” said Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar.

Public places, check points, entry and exit points of Navi Mumbai along with every road that leads to creeks and coastal areas would be manned by Navi Mumbai Police.

“The bandobast started on Monday. Patrolling has been tightened and we have identified 20 major fix points which will be manned by 200 people. There are 10 coastal check points where 100 people are deployed. An additional 60 personnel would be manning the jetties,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, Suresh Mengade.

“We have also alerted fisherfolk and coastal guards to keep an eye on the movements in the coastal area,” Mr. Mengade added. Coastal department has deployed seven speed boats, and two trawlers named ‘Sanjeevani’ and ‘Mahalakshmi Prasad’ for patrolling the sea.