A thick security blanket has been thrown over Kochi city in the backdrop of Independence Day on Wednesday. The police has stepped up vigil at important places and intensified patrolling on streets in an attempt to ensure hassle-free celebrations.
The police has asked for two companies of police force from the government to guard the city on I-day and the eve before it. If the state approves the city’s demand, roughly 180 police personnel will arrive on Tuesday, making the total police strength 700. Ernakulam Range Inspector General’s reserved police, which has a strength of 50, is also set to join the city police for I-Day security.
“We have decided to launch an air-tight security system in the wake of Independence Day,” said Tomy Sebastian, the assistant commissioner of special branch police. “Vehicles will be checked thoroughly at all entry points while bomb squads and dog squads will hit the roads to ensure security. Shadow police will also be deployed at vantage points,” he added. The police is also expected to keep strict vigil at local railway stations, shopping malls, theatres and exhibition grounds.
Railway Police Force has also launched a special drive to ensure the security of railway stations in city. Baggage scanners and metal detectors will be deployed to ensure complete security. Security at Cochin International Airport has also been beefed up following a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.