Security beefed up in Kolkata for I-Day

Ahead of the 69th Independence Day, security has been beefed up across Kolkata and adjoining areas including deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles, police said on Thursday.

Besides setting up check points at strategic locations, sand-bag bunkers have been set up with police teams monitoring movement of vehicles as well as of people on the entry and exit points of the city.

On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sounded a terror alert following reports that terrorist organisations were planning to create trouble in the state on Independence Day.

"An alert has been sounded at airports, railway stations, important public places and all vital installations across the state," Banerjee has said.

"Are closely monitoring hotels, guest houses and other lodging points across the city, we have identified 23 points at the city borders where special monitoring arrangements have been put in place," said a police officer.

Special security arrangements have also been put in place at the Howrah and Sealdah railway stations and the city airport.

Watch towers have also been set up at key junctures while UAVs would be pressed into service for aerial surveillance and the Special Task Force of the city police would keep a hawk eye on movement across the city through CCTV cameras.

"Policemen would be deployed at monuments, theatres and others places of interests including shopping malls," said the officer.

Special security arrangements have also been made for the Independence Day Parade at the Red Road.

The venue has been divided into 14 zones with top officers entrusted to monitor the security.

Radio Flying Squads and Quick Response Teams would be on stand by while CCTV cameras have also been installed for the event.