KOCHI: Heightened security arrangements are in place in view of the Independence Day parade at Kakkanad Civil Station Parade Ground on Tuesday. Education Minister C Raveendranath will take the salute at the parade at 8.30 am.According to City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh, security has been tightened since the past week in anticipation of the 71st Independence Day celebrations.R Karuppasamy has been entrusted with arranging security under the supervision of City Police Commissioner. “The city has been under surveillance for the past one week," he said.
"As part of beefing up security, the police intensified checking of vehicles and patrolling at night. Apart from this, the sleuths have checked all lodges in the city."He said the cops had done a commendable job in the preparations and there was no need to deploy additional police personnel.The city police have been entrusted with the duty of observing vehicle movement through the city roads and approach roads. Vehicles parked on the roadsides are also thoroughly checked. Besides, anti-sabotage teams - assisted by sniffer dogs and explosive detection equipment - conducted a thorough check in public places, including railway stations, bus stands and commercial venues. Armed police personnel will be posted at the Parade Ground and nearby premises, according to the officers. The Collectorate premises, including the Parade Ground, will be under the surveillance of CCTV cameras.
Several armed police units will also take part in the Independence Day parade along with other organisations such as NCC, Scouts and Guides, Junior Red Cross and SPC. Besides, the Departments of Social Justice, Agriculture, MVD, Suchitwa Mission and DTPC will also take part in the celebrations. Earlier, a meeting chaired by ADM M P Jose reviewed the security arrangements.In tune with the increased vigil, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has imposed ban on the entry of visitors to its terminals till August 20. An official statement by CIAL said the security regulation was followed under a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Naval Base, a beehive of activity
A number of activities are being undertaken at the Naval Base under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command (SNC). On Monday, the combined bands of INS Venduruthy and INS Dronacharya presented a scintillating musical performance for the children of various schools in the city at the naval auditorium, Sagarika, to showcase the multi-dimensional talents of musicians comprising the Indian Naval band and to instil patriotism in the young minds.The band, with its wide ranging repertoire of different forms of music, was able to relate closely to the young audience by making an effort to incorporate different forms of music.
A 70-km ultra marathon, organised by SNC, was flagged off at midnight from Naval Base by Rear Admiral K Swaminathan, Chief Staff Officer (training). Around 70 naval personnel attempted the ultramarathon under the leadership of Commodore Joginder Chandna. The open ended run allowed any number of additional personnel from the naval community to join the event at any time and run for whatever distance possible.Earlier, on August 11, a visit for children from various schools of Kochi was organised on board Indian Naval Ships Sunayna and Shardul.About 500 children from three schools, namely Choice School, Jnanodayam Public School and ToC-H (Residential) Public School, took the opportunity to visit these ships. This initiative by the SNC was aimed at familiarising the younger generation with the Indian Navy and to motivate them to join the Armed Forces to serve the country.
Freedom ride on Kochi Metro
Kochi: Joining in the festivities as the nation celebrates its 70th anniversary of independence, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will provide seven days of free ride to those born in 1947. The freedom ride, as it will be called, begins on Tuesday and will continue till August 21. "People born in 1947 can travel in Kochi Metro for free during these seven days. As it is a free ride service, those wishing to avail this offer will have to produce valid identity cards as age proof," a KMRL statement said.