No terrorists, just cops on the streets

MUMBAI: Mumbai had its entire police force on streets on Tuesday, guarding the metropolis against a possible terror strike on the Independence Day. The city’s 40,000-strong police force, comprising 35,000 constables, was supported by other security agencies like the Central Reserve Police Force, the elite National Security Guards (NSG), State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Railway Police Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), home guards, and even private security agencies.

The omnipresent Khaki, stringent security drills, and those watchful eyes reaffirmed that life post 7/11 is going to be different for Mumbai. Not only were all previously sanctioned leaves cancelled, but police personnel who had proceeded on leave were also called back on duty, police sources said.

A large number of police and SRPF personnel, along with the RPF and the GRP, were deployed at all the railway stations on the three suburban railway lines. Under the special security arrangements observed in view of the terror threat, the police had closed some of the entry gates to the railway stations.

The security personnel maintained a close vigil over the movement at reservation and ticket counters and conducted checks in first class compartments of suburban trains. Security measures were particularly stringent at establishments perceived to be on the hit list.

These include the Vidhan Bhavan, Mantralaya, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, BMC headquarters, the Santacruz and Sahar airports, all shopping malls and multiplexes. Security personnel were also on the prowl at subways which are generally crowded.

An establishment like BARC is also being protected by its internal security staff apart from the deployment of the CISF personnel. Security cover to the BMC headquarters in Fort was increased after the police received a threat letter on Monday stating that the building would be blown up.

Security arrangements would continue to be tight in view of the Janmashtami festival on Wednesday. The police officials, sources said, have also asked social and cultural organisations and Govinda groups who participate in the festival to be vigilant.

The national capital was put under unprecedented security cover with thousands of gun-toting security men deployed across the city to prevent any attempt to disrupt Independence Day celebrations. All roads leading to the historic Red Fort, the venue of the main function, were highly barricaded. Vehicles were checked and people frisked thoroughly as multi-layered security was in place at all entry and exit points in the city.

Police personnel and commandos of elite NSG formed the 10,000-strong security contingent guarding the Red Fort.
The security men also took positions at rooftops of buildings in and around the monument as well as other vital installations amidst the threat of suicide attacks.

As many as 1,300 traffic police personnel were deployed to regulate the vehicular movement in the national capital, where several route diversions were made due to Independence Day celebrations.

Police, air surveillance and deployment of Air Defence Guns and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) of para-military forces were part of the ground-to-air security apparatus put in place to thwart possible attempts to disrupt the celebrations.