Police are maintaining ‘extra-caution’ across the State to ensure there is no untoward incident during Independence Day celebrations. Police said that all districts, particularly the naxal-affected areas, have been alerted.
“There is tight security arrangement for the occasion. Additional forces are being deployed in the naxal-affected and the urban localities of the state. More home guards have also been pressed into service,” said Inspector General (Operations) and Jharkhand Police Spokesperson Ashish Batra.
Batra said anti-naxal operation is held continuously in the State but police are extra caution as Independence Day is a national celebration. Police are carrying also out surveillance in sensitive places, he said.
Meanwhile, Ranchi police on Monday carried out searches in the hotels, lodges and other public places to keep track of suspicious persons in the city. Police inspected the guest registers of the hotel in the operation. “Hotels and lodges were checked between 12 and 3 PM, while an anti-crime checking drive was conducted from 5 to 9 PM,” said SP (City) Aman Kumar.
Security around the Morhabadi ground where Chief Minister Raghubar Das would hoist the national flag on R-day on Wednesday has already been enhanced. Notably, top politicians and the officials are expected to participate in the function.
“The Morhabadi ground has been declared a high alert zone. Security personnel have been placed on the spot ever since the preparation for the flag hoisting ceremony began. There would be elaborate security arrangement in the city during the R-day celebration,” said the Ranchi SSP Anis Gupta after inspecting the ground along with Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray on Monday.
The administration has planned a series of measures for protection of VVIP stage. The assault group of the Jharkhand Jaguar would be part of the security forces around the spot. Tear gas units and also non-disposal squads would also be stationed in the area.
The magistrates and police force have been asked to prevent the crowd from coming too close to the stage when the dignitaries are speaking.
A joint order issued by the district administration in this regard stated that the anti-sabotage cell would ensure checking of the bouquets, stage, VVIP’s and the invited guest gallaries, audience gallery, parking and other sensitive places around the ground before the function.
As the crowd movement in and around the R-Day venue would increase traffic police would also be posted at Mayor’s road, Booty road crossing, Karamtoli crossing, Circuit house crossing, Radium road, West Jail road, Administrative Training Institute, Chowk Marg, Main road junction, Ramgarh Taxi stand and Ranchi College to regulate the traffic.