Security arrangements beefed up in Punjab

Security arrangements have been tightened ahead of the 69th Independence Day across Punjab, especially in border districts in the wake of Gurdaspur terror attack last month, besides Haryana and Chandigarh. Security forces are on high alert, officials said on Wednesday.Security has been strengthened at the venues where dignitaries will unfurl the Tricolour and important railway stations including Chandigarh, ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Panipat, Ambala, besides key interstate bus terminals and other vital installations, the officials said.

Special security arrangements have been made in border districts in Punjab, where terrorists carried out an attack in Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur nearly a fortnight back. Besides, paramilitary has been deployed in the border areas to strengthen the security.Pathankot's Senior Superintendent of Police R K Bakhshi said that foolproof security measures had been put in place.  Asked that some locals in the border district of Pathankot, in the past few days claimed to have noticed some suspicious movements after the Gurdaspur attack, he said, "We cannot ignore any information that we are getting."

Three days ago, acting on inputs from locals that some suspicious movement had been noticed in Pathankot's Dhar Block area, the Army and police had jointly launched a massive operation near ladeti village, under the supervision of Inspector General-Border Range-lok Nath Angra, though nothing was found.

All entry and exit points of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pardesh, which border Pathankot district, have been sealed and checking of vehicles has been intensified.

Meanwhile, police across Punjab, neighbouring Haryana and Chandigarh have asked operators of guest houses, cyber cafes, telephone booths and taxi services to keep a watch on their customers and report any suspicious persons.  Police and other security personnel have intensified checking of vehicles in the two states and Chandigarh.  Barricading and checking had also been intensified at the inter-state borders.

Haryana Director General of Police, Yashpal Singal reviewed security arrangements regarding Independence Day celebrations and  preparedness for inauguration of women police stations on August 28 at all district headquarters in the state.  He reviewed these arrangements through video-conferencing with all senior police officers posted at headquarters, Commissioners of Police, Range Inspectors General of Police and District Superintendents of Police.

A spokesman of the Police Department said that the field officers were sensitized regarding recent terrorist incidents in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. 

During the review meeting, Singal emphasized that comprehensive security plan should be formulated and put into operation after thorough rehearsal and multiple security guards should be deployed at the place of function.

Thorough anti-sabotage check and surveillance should be carried out to thwart any attempt by terrorists in crowded areas, market places, malls, multiplex, public transport system, airstrips, bus-stands, bus-depots, railway stations, popular food locations and places frequented by foreign nationals should be thoroughly checked, directed Singal.

Haryana and Punjab Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki will unfurl the National Flag on Independence Day at  Panchkula while Chief Minister Manohar lal would hoist the National Flag at Kurukshetra.