Tight security for I-Day celebrations in Karnataka

Security has been enhanced across Karnataka for the 69th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, police said on Friday.

"We have stepped up vigil and deployed additional personnel in cities and towns across the state, especially in the capital (Bengaluru) where the main I-Day event will be held in the city centre," a police officer told IANS.

In light of intelligence inputs and alerts from the union home ministry on security threats, about 15,000 police personnel, including home guards will be on duty on Saturday across the city, especially at the main function venue (Manekshaw parade ground) in the central business district.

"We have installed 25 door frame metal detectors in around the venue to screen the public entering the ground to watch the function. About 100 hand held detectors will also be used to frisk visitors for security purposes," city police commissioner N.S. Megharik told reporters here.

Security has also been scaled up around vital installations, public places, airport, bus terminals, railway stations and markets across Bengaluru and other cities to prevent any untoward incident.

"Besides CCTV cameras around venues where the national flag will be unfurled and other I-Day related programmes are held, we are using dog squad and bomb squad for foolproof security and safety," Megharik said.

To prevent traffic snarls and crowding around the parade ground, vehicular movement will be restricted, regulated and diverted from roads around the parade ground.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hoist the flag, take the salute and address the gathering at the parade ground while other ministers will preside over similar I-Day functions at the 28 district headquarters.