THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: City police has initiated steps to increase security during Onam-Bakrid festivals. The steps include setting up 10 video cameras, 100 CCTV cameras and 20 public address systems. New CCTV cameras will be installed besides the existing 40 CCTV cameras alongwith 12 platform cameras on a temporary basis from September 12 to September 18. According to city police, the process of setting up security arrangements are in the final stages. Police expect that a large number of visitors will come to the city to take part in the government sponsored Onam weekly festival.
“City police is equipped to provide security to the public. Extra police force will be mobilised apart from the normal deployment. There will be strict round the clock surveillance in the city. We have identified 19 locations in the city where a big posse of personnel will be deployed. On the whole, we are leaving no stones unturned in ensuring the safety of the public during the festive season,” said G Sparjan Kumar, City Police Commissioner.
As many as 1,000 police personnel will be deployed in the city and the whole area will be under direct surveillance of the police. Special control rooms will be opened at Kanakakunnu Palace from where the entire stretch from Kowdiar to Pulimoodu can be monitored. Apart from this, control rooms are in place at Poojappura and East Fort.
Around 30 police vehicles with video cameras too will be patrolling the city.
Six assistant commissioners, 12 circle inspectors and 75 sub-inspectors are expected to be deployed at various parts along the stretch. Besides, 400 policemen, 20 shadow police and 10 women shadow police personnel will be also deployed to provide security to women. Fire and Rescue Services personnel have been asked to be ready to meet any emergency situation. The stretch from Kowdiar to East Fort is under the ambit of surveillance cameras.