Tight security for celebrations

The City police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday.

“Our forces will guard the sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas. Bangaloreans can celebrate the Independence Day in peace,” City police commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji told mediapersons here on Monday.

As many as 2,000 policemen from law and order wing and around 800 policemen from traffic wing, including officers of all ranks, will be pressed into service, added the commissioner.

CCTV cameras have been installed at several points and  an additional 45 cameras have been placed at crucial junctions. The police will sternly deal with those trying to take law into their hands, he said.

The KSRP platoons, Rapid Action Force, Quick Reaction Force and other security platoons will be deployed at strategic locations, said a senior police officer.

Preparations

BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda said that there will be 20 ambulances, 30 mobile hospitals, 90 nurses and 10 task force units on the venue.

As many as 25 hospitals, with 75 doctors and 150 nurses, in the surrounding areas will be on guard. Along with it, 15 blood banks will also be ready with sufficient stock.

To meet any eventuality, at least 100 beds in the listed hospitals will be kept reserved.

Gowda said: “No untoward incident has been reported in the past and we hope this year also there will be no eventuality but we are prepared to meet any contingency.”

Besides the security and contingency readiness, preparations are afoot for a colourful programme.

The event will start with the Naada Geethe, which will be followed by dance dramas based on Rani Abbakka Devi, Janapada Jhenkara, Veera Balidana and Punyabhoomi Bharatha. There will be a show on judo and karate.