The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Coast Guard ships deployed ahead of Independence Day

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Coast Guard ships deployed ahead of Independence Day

S. Vydhianathan and S. Vijay Kumar

They will be patrolling along Secretariat, port areas in Chennai

Helicopter surveillance planned
at regular intervals
34 additional checks-posts
are being established

CHENNAI: The Coast Guard deployed two ships off the Chennai coast for patrolling along Secretariat and port areas on Tuesday ahead of the Independence Day.

According to officials in the Coast Guard Eastern Region Headquarters, helicopter surveillance, too, will be carried out at regular intervals.

For the whole week

The exercise will continue the whole week.

Coast Guard officials are coordinating with the local police on security-related aspects, the officials said, adding this was part of upgraded security arrangements ahead of every Independence Day.

At least 34 additional police checks-posts are being established at vantage points in the city as part of the bandobust.

Special inner-ring check-posts

While 15 special inner-ring check-posts will come up at the Secretariat, where Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will hoist the national flag, other check-posts will be located strategically in various parts of the city, police sources said.

Vigil at major hospitals, temples and railway stations has been enhanced and the police plan to install closed circuit television network.

Southern Railway has suspended booking of parcels in trains for five days from August 13 (Wednesday). Parcels booked till date are being dispatched by trains leaving on Tuesday. The move is to keep the security situation under control in view of the Independence Day, according of G.M. Eswar Rao, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner.

Mr. Rao said security on railway premises and in trains was strengthened after the recent bomb blasts. It had been further tightened.

Lesser entry points

The administration had reduced the number of entry points at major railway stations so that all passengers were frisked before entering the stations. X-ray scanning machines had been installed at the Chennai Central to scan baggage. Tags were being affixed on checked baggage.

Anti-sabotage checks were being conducted at all major stations. Bomb detection squads had been positioned at important stations.

All EMU services are being escorted by armed police personnel and empty rakes thoroughly checked and locked before being brought to stations from yards. Public have been asked to inform the RPF or police if they find unclaimed parcels on station premises, he said.

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