Chennai: An elaborate security arrangement has been put in place in the city in view of Independence Day tomorrow.
A large contingent of 20,000 policemen will be on duty to ensure the celebrations in the city take place without any untoward incident.
According to police sources, 1,200 policemen will be deployed at the Secretariat alone, where the official function is scheduled to be held.
Security preparations and rehearsals began on 11 August and one-third of the police force took positions at several places the same day across Chennai.
“Apart from deploying additional police personnel at transportation hubs, vital installations and other crowded places, police are keeping an eye on the social media too,” an official said.
“So far there are no alarming threats. But we are on alert. We are observing all movements in social media and suspected accounts are under watch,” he said, adding that they have deployed policemen at all important places.
“We have been surveying lodges and hotels in the city to make note of any new suspicious movement and making a note of visitors to the city. All accused released from jail and the absconding ones are being watched,” he said. The city airport has come under heightened security restricting the entry of visitors.
Places including Central, Egmore and Tambaram railway stations have been brought under tight security blanket, and the law and order police will be part of security arrangements at the railway stations.
“We have sealed check posts and our personnel are thoroughly searching all incoming vehicles,” said another official.
Places of worship, beaches, CMBT, shopping hubs such as Ranaganathan Street in T Nagar and malls will have police presence.
Watch towers have been erected near Secretariat where maximum number of people and VIPs are expected to gather tomorrow morning. Across the State, 1.5 lakh policemen will be on duty.