By IANS,
Bangalore : Security has been tightened across Bangalore ahead of Republic Day celebrations Monday, a top police official said here Saturday.
“Across the city around 1,200 police personnel will take care of the security measures on Jan 26. We’ll also deploy 350 armed policemen in the city,” M.R. Pujar, additional commissioner of police, Bangalore city (Law and Order), told IANS.
“About 20 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, 15 central armed reserve (CAR) platoons and one KSRP commando force across the city will also be on duty.
“Around 400 traffic personnel will take care of traffic movement around the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground (in city centre), the venue of the official Republic Day function,” he added.
Security has been beefed up in and around the city in the wake of the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The parade ground, where Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur will hoist the national flag and witness the parade and cultural programmes, has been turned into a virtual fortress with a huge security blanket.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned for peaceful Republic Day celebrations. In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, all the important cities of the country are vulnerable terror attack sites for the terrorists.
“Thus special security arrangements have been made at every entry and exit points of important installations, such as those of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the airport, the railway station and the inter-state bus terminus,” said Pujar.
Contingents from the air force, the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, state police and National Cadet Corps will take part in the march past, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s commissioner S. Subramanya said at a joint media briefing with Bangalore district deputy commissioner G.N. Nayak.
More than 2,000 students from eight city schools will present cultural programmes.
“Adequate arrangements have been made to address any emergency situation at the parade ground. Along with members from the Disaster Management Cell, ambulances will be kept ready,” said Subramanya.