Preparations are in full swing for the 68th State-level Independence Day function on August 15 here at Mahatma Gandhi Marg (MGM) while dress rehearsal kicked off on Wednesday with hundreds of school and college students marching down the MGM.
Director General of Police Sanjeev Marik reviewed the drill, which was conducted at 9 am, in which 58 teams took part. Besides the student cadets, jawans of the Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force, 120 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army, Home Guards, traffic police and volunteers of several organisations participated in the drill and presented a colourful parade.
A total 38 platoons of force will be deployed during the parade on the Independence Day on Friday to provide security in the State Capital city with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik scheduled to unfurl the Tricolour at MGM.“We have kept a close eye on city hotels, cyber cafes, railway stations and bus stands in the city. Night patrolling and blockings on roads are being conducted regularly,” said Twin City Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma.
He also informed that apart from 38 platoon of security forces, quick reaction teams, sniffer dogs and bomb squads would be deployed along Mahatma Gandhi Marg on Friday.