By IANS
Mumbai : A massive security blanket has been spread over India’s financial and entertainment capital Mumbai in the run up to the country’s 60th Independence Day Wednesday.
Acting on tip-offs from intelligence agencies, the authorities have put in place elaborate security arrangements across the city and its suburbs.
“Thousands of checkpoints have been put into place… Police will frisk people at various places including railway stations. Airports and hotel rooms too will be put under random checks,” said a senior police official.
Security agencies are paying special attention on beachfronts and dock areas, which have come under additional surveillance in view of Al Qaeda threats from the sea, intelligence sources told IANS.
“Patrolling around the vicinity of religious places will be doubled and random hotel room checks are being carried out to detect whether suspected terrorists have infiltrated the city,” said K.L. Prasad, joint commissioner of police (law and order).
Prasad said all police stations had been advised to cancel leave of its entire staff to ensure adequate manpower.
“Intense security checks and frisking of passengers will be carried out on long-distance and local trains, railway stations, bus depots and airports,” Prasad told IANS.
“I am afraid Mumbaikars will have to bear with the security checks for the next couple of days. These are precautionary measures we have to take.”
He, however, downplayed terror threat perceptions and said: “We have received routine alerts.”