Mumbai police sounds high alert, security beefed up

Mumbai Police has sounded a high alert in the financial capital and stepped up security in the run up to the New Year celebrations following a bomb blast in Bengaluru.

City and Railway police forces are on their toes to prevent and counter any act of crime or terror during the New Year eve celebrations.

"We raised the security threat alert levels against the backdrop of Bangalore blast and a high alert has been sounded.

A tighter surveillance will be in place. The emphasis will be on prevention of terror activities and the security of women, especially at night," Dhananjay Kulkarni, Deputy Police Commissioner (Spokesperson) said.

Following the directives of Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, all the police stations, crime branch and special units have been conducting combing and search operations of shady lodges, rental houses in slum pockets and congested areas, police said.

"We have cancelled the leaves of all policemen. About 70 per cent of the 46,000-strong force will be deployed specially to ensure safety and security on December 31st night," the DCP added.

Besides the city police, 20 platoons of the SRPF and 1,100 homeguards, including officers, will be on the streets guarding the city, he added.

Revellers are expected at the Gateway of India, Girgaon Chowpatti, Marine Drive, Worli Seaface for the celebrations, police said, adding that watchtowers will be erected at the beaches while various places were already illuminated for the convenience of people.

At some of the places in the city, where people gather in large numbers to celebrate the New Year, police have planned to segregate family and women crowd from the rest.

"Special enclosures will be erected for women & family members; and male revellers at the Gateway of India, Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu where huge crowds are expected to congregate to welcome the New Year. Special control rooms will be set up at these places to keep a watch on unruly revellers through the CCTVs," the DCP added.