Security arrangements beefed up across India ahead of I-Day

NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR /AGARTALA - Ahead of the Independence Day on Sunday security arrangements have been tightened in several parts of the country.

An impregnable ground-to-air security setup is being put in place in New Delhi to pre-empt any terror strike.

“Keeping security in mind, handbags, camera, pager, cell phones and any other electronic item are not allowed to be taken inside the venue of the celebrations. It is important for the invitees to bring an identification proof in order to establish their identity,” said Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police.

The authorities have put in place particularly tight security arrangements in Srinagar, where separatists have called for a boycott of the celebrations amid a two month long agitation.

“The security here is very tight. Area domination drills are conducted day and night and extra pickets have been set up. Everything is kept in mind while arranging for the security of the region. And like every year, the CRPF and civil police are deployed for the security,” said Prabakar Triparti, spokesperson of the CRPF.

Security has also been stepped up in the insurgency hit northeastern states, where militant organisations have traditionally observed shutdown to mark the day and carried out blasts in the run up to the celebrations.

Security forces have been deployed at public places like railway stations, bus stands in Agartala. Passengers are being frisked at various entry and exit points on the national highway.

Paramilitary forces, accompanied by bomb squads and sniffer dogs, have mounted vigil. (ANI)