Kochi has made all arrangements and reinforced them with top notch security to welcome Britain’s Prince Charles and wife Camilla Parker Bowles on Monday. As per the protocol, the security provided for the Vice-President will be offered to the British royal couple throughout their stay in Kochi.
The police conducted a full-fledged rehearsal of the security arrangements for the royal couple, on Sunday. The police mock drill witnessed thousands of officers double checking the security arrangements in all the spots where the Prince and the Duchess are scheduled to visit.
Around 1,000 officers have been roped in from other cities exclusively for providing the ‘royal security’. In addition to this, two contingents of Metropolitan Police from the United Kingdom have also arrived to lend a hand to the local authorities. Though the police refused to divulge the details of the arrangements due to security concerns, it is learnt that security has been tightened for the royal visit.
“We conducted a general briefing and a briefing of intelligence officers on Sunday. There will be general alert throughout the day and an increased security will be provided at night.
We will not block traffic anywhere in the city but mild diversions will be made in selected areas such as Kochi-Vazhachal route and Vazhachal-Kumarakom route. There will be mild diversions on major roads in the city such as MG Road,” said Kochi Range Inspector-General K Padmakumar who is in charge of the security arrangements.
He added that security has been beefed up at the airport in Nedumbassery which is being controlled by the Superintendent of Police.