Chennai: The city will come under a tight security wrap by the police for ‘Kaanum Pongal’ tomorrow. According to sources, a large posse of police personnel will be deployed at beaches, shopping hubs, zoo, park, malls and movie theatres where large crowds are expected to gather.
Around 20,000 strong police contingent will be on duty across the city. As per the instructions of Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner, A K Viswanathan, apart from physical deployment of police personnel in uniform and in plain clothes, various other measures are being put in place to ensure that tight vigil is maintained at all places.
Speaking to News Today, a police source said, “5,000 personnel will be posted at Marina Beach as the police expect at least 70,000 visitors. Eight watch towers have also been erected and policemen will be using binoculars to keep track of public movements.”
Visitors are not allowed to bathe in the sea and to prevent this, the entire stretch from Light House to Labour Statue is barricaded with wooden fencing. “We have put up warning boards every 200 meters. A tent is also erected as a help desk for visitors and All Terrain Vehicles will be used by policemen for patrolling,” the source said.
The city police have roped in the anti-child trafficking team from Social Welfare Department. The team will be using a Public Address System to alert people to hold on to children so they would not go missing.
A similar security arrangement has been worked out at beaches at Besant Nagar, Neelankarai and Thiruvanmiyur. The beach will be open from 6 am to 10 pm, two rescue teams will be assisting the police to tackle cases of drowning.
Apart from the beach front, tight security would be provided in places such as Children’s Park at Guindy, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, amusement parks like VGP Golden beach, MGM Dizee World, Mayajaal and various shopping malls.
Shopping hubs in the city including T Nagar will be monitored by the police, strict action will be taken against those who harass women. Police have installed temporary barricades on many roads to avoid rash driving.