Security heightened ahead of R-Day celebrations in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25:

Unprecedented security measures have been put in place across Odisha ahead of the 66^th Republic Day celebrations on Monday following the intelligence bureau (IB) inputs on possible terror strikes on four states, including Odisha, and Maoists’ call to observe it as a ‘black day’.

Special security arrangements have been made in Odisha capital and Maoist-infested districts to avoid any untoward incident.

The SPs of 30 districts and 18 marine police stations have been told to be on alert after the state government sounded a high alert in view of the IB report.

In Bhubaneswar, Governor S C Jamir is slated to unfurl the national flag at around 8.30 AM at Mahatma Gandhi Marg for which 22 platoon of police force will be deployed. Besides, quick action teams, counter-terrorist squads, bomb disposal squads and Special Operations Group (SOG) jawans would be keeping a strict vigil on troublemakers at the parade venue.

Special surveillance systems have also been installed to monitor movement of people at the parade area. In addition to this, patrolling has been intensified in crowded areas as well as near vital installations ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

‘‘Intelligence units and special police teams have been positioned at sensitive areas and we are prepared to deal with any situation,’’ Odisha DGP Sanjiv Marik said.

In view of the Maoists’ call for observing it as ‘black day’, security has been tightened in southern and western Odisha districts. Patrolling has been intensified and areas sharing borders with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been sealed. Frisking of vehicles, putting up of barricades and checking of ID cards of suspicious elements have been followed strictly.

For an incident-free Republic Day celebrations, additional police forces have deployed in Maoist-affected Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput and Ganjam districts.

‘‘We have intensified vehicular surveillance of public and private transport at strategic locations and have been putting up outposts at several places. We have been keeping a strict vigil on outsiders also to ensure a peaceful Republic Day celebration,’’ IG (south-western range) Yashwant Jethwa said.