Security beefed up ahead of I-day celebrations

Security has been beefed up in and around important places across the city in the run up to Independence Day, while additional armed forces have been posted at public places where footfalls are generally high, police said on Tuesday.

They said watch towers have been put up at strategic points while footage of traffic signals was also being monitored Railways also have tightened security at all stations in the city and additional personnel have been deployed in Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram stations in particular, a senior RPF official said.

Temporary bunkers have been put in important stations and CCTV footage is being closely monitored, they said. "We have introduced a sticker system in the stations with which RPF will check and allow you to place your baggage in the cloak room.

Unless you have it, your baggage will not be accepted in the cloak room," Senior Divisional Security Commissioner S R Gandhi said. He denied media reports that RMS parcel service has been suspended, saying it has only been restricted.

"Anything suspicious will be stopped and checked throughly." One foot metal detector has been issued to all teams deployed to check luggage, he said, adding bomb squads have been deployed for round-the-clock anti sabotage operations.

Another Railway statement said the Sunday pattern of EMU services would be run instead of weekday services in Chennai Beach Tambaram Chengalpattu and Chennai Beach-Velachery sections, in view of Independence Day on August 15.

At the airport,screening of visitors would be in place in addition to checking of baggage and passengers,CISF sources said. Movement of people in bus terminals, malls, shopping complexes, busy junctions and narrow lanes are also being watched, police said.

A Coimbatore report said about 3,500 police personnel, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed at strategic places, including major government installations, places of worship, railway stations, bus stands and areas were large numbers of people gather and also in rural limits.

Vehicle checks are being carried out at 12 entry points and all details of passengers,including their phone numbers taken before they are allowed in, it said, adding checks have also been intensified in lodges and hotels.