West Bengal tightens security ahead of I-Day

By IANS,

Kolkata : Security has been heightened at international borders along West Bengal and all districts are on alert ahead of the 63rd Independence Day Saturday.


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Vital installations and public places like airports, railway stations and bus stops are under increased vigil, with police and private security agencies doing checking at hotels and shopping malls, said Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha.

“A large number of plainclothes policemen has been deployed in busy areas and sensitive places,” he told IANS.

He, however, clarified the state has not received report of any “threat component” from central intelligence agencies.

The exit and entry points to the state capital Kolkata, including the two bridges over river Hooghly, were under close watch, with policemen searching vehicles.

Police pickets have been posted at Metro Railway stations and sensitive areas of the city.

“The extent of the alert is the same as it was in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations in the recent years. As on earlier occasions, extra forces have been mobilized,” he said.

Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Kundan Lal Tamta said the border guards are on high alert at the borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan in the region.

“This is to ensure that no insurgent can sneak into the country from across the border. Important thoroughfares, including national and state highways, are under intense surveillance to thwart any bids by extremists to breach peace,” Tamta told IANS.

“There are a lot of police patrols. We are seeing to it that visibility of police is high so that it acts as a deterrent to mischief mongers,” he said.

People have been asked to keep a watch in their areas and report to police immediately if they find anything suspicious.

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