In view of the fears expressed by intelligence agencies about the possibility of an air attack by terrorists on Republic Day on Tuesday, special vigil has been mounted on and near the flying clubs and air strips in Uttar Pradesh and open spaces, which are used for the flight of microlite aircrafts, small airplanes, helicopters and hang gliding.
As security was tightened throughout the State, directives have been issued to the district and range police officials to ensure that there is adequate security in the airports, They have been asked to coordinate with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which has been given the responsibility of maintaining security of the airports. In addition, the security agencies have been instructed to conduct a search of the hotels, food joints, dharamshalas, cinema halls, bus and railway stations.
The main Republic Day function in the State is held in Lucknow where the Governor takes the salute of the annual parade in front of the Vidhan Bhawan building in the presence of the Chief Minister. Functions are also held in all the district headquarters.
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The Additional Director-General of Police ( Law and Order ), Brij Lal said here on Monday that eight companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and six companies of Rapid Response Team (RRT) have been deployed in Lucknow for maintaining law and order. Stating that the police is well-equipped to tackle the terrorist threat, Mr. Lal said a detailed security plan has been sent to the police chiefs of all the districts and the DIGs range.
The police officials have been asked to coordinate with the army personnel while conducting security checks, Mr. Lal said. He said anti-sabotage checks would be conducted by the security personnel before the Republic Day programmes. The places where these programmes would be held would be sealed on Monday night with armed security guards deployed to maintain vigil to thwart the possibility of anti-social elements planting an explosive device, the UP police officer said.
Mr. Lal said effective security measures have been in the national capital region districts bordering Delhi, as well as in the districts bordering Lucknow. Security has also been spruced up in the districts bordering Nepal in coordination with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
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This year the security agencies have been asked to keep a close watch on the activities of missing Pakistani national and Bangladeshi migrants. Another measure pertained to the thorough and proper verification of the people living on rent in the new housing colonies and apartment complexes by taking into confidence the builders and landlords.
Mr. Lal said highway patrolling would be intensified during the course of the Republic Day functions in the State capital and in the districts. Mobile check posts, quick response teams (QRT) and police intercepting parties would be kept in a state of readiness, Mr. Lal added.