Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the national flag at Red Fort on Independence Day tomorrow and deliver a speech for the first time after returning to power with a thumping majority in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls.
A full dress rehearsal for Independence Day took place at Red Fort Tuesday amid tight security.
In view of the Centre abrogating the constitutional provisions of Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir and amid tensions with Pakistan, security has been tightened across the national capital and the neighbouring border areas.
The multi-layered security ring, including National Security Guard (NSG) snipers, elite special weapons and tactics (SWAT) commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Red Fort.
For the first time, Delhi Police will be using cameras equipped with facial recognition software to identify suspects around the Red Fort and the adjoining areas.
The Delhi Traffic Police has already issued an advisory for the Independence Day event to ensure smooth traffic movement across the city.
A watch is being kept with the installation of around 500 CCTV cameras in and around Red Fort, which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries, and common people during the Prime Minister’s address.
Roads leading to Red Fort will also be under surveillance.
IN CHENNAI
Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will hoist the national flag at Fort St George in Chennai.
The State police have stepped up security arrangements. This year, the Centre has asked the State government to lay out an elaborate security plan to avert any untoward incidents following the abrogation of Article 370.
According to sources, DGP J K Tripathy set up a five-member team comprising senior police officials to put in place security measures and City Commissioner A K Viswanathan will head the security arrangements in Chennai.
Recently, Additional Commissioner of Police, R Dhinakaran, had chaired a meeting detailing security deployment and preparations.
Vital installations such as embassies and guesthouses, places of worship are given additional security and public places, including Central and Egmore stations, CMBT bus terminus are under the scanner.
The police are conducting random checks at hotels, lodges and mansion, apart from vehicle checks.
The local police, along with Commando Force, Rapid Action Force and Tamilnadu Special Battalion, will be deployed across the city.
Tight police deployment will be in place at Fort St George where the Chief Minister will take part in the celebrations. Sixty CCTV cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) will be used for monitoring. A five-tier security arrangement is said to be in place at the venue.
Security at Chennai Airport has been stepped up and heightened measures will be in place till 31 August, stated a release from AAI.
| President’s address |
| President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation today on the eve of the 73rd Independence Day. The address will be broadcast 7 pm onwards on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, read a statement.
Broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan. All India Radio will broadcast regional language versions from 8 pm on its regional networks. |
With PTI inputs