KOCHI: From Friday morning onwards, Kochi police began deploying policemen at every building in the areas through which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy would pass on Saturday. DGP T P Senkumar, at a meeting held at Ernakulam Town Hall, briefed around 2,500 police officials about the security arrangements put in place.
SPG AIGs Anish Sirohi, Rajesh Kumar and T K Gautham supervised the security arrangements. Barricades have been erected along the road side to prevent any blockade.
Also, the rehearsal of the Prime Minister’s convoy movement was held on Friday. As part of the rehearsal, 21 vehicles passed through Kochi on Friday morning. The convoy which started from the Naval Base ended at Palarivattom. The traffic movement was regulated as part of the rehearsal.
As many 2,500 policemen along with a large number of SPG officials are providing security cover to the Prime Minister. These police officials have been divided into 40 groups each tasked with specific work. A big posse of police officials have been deployed to regulate traffic from Saturday morning onwards.
“Police officers will be placed at every highrise along the route through which the Prime Minister’s convoy will pass. They will monitor the situation from Friday morning. These officers will be in contact with the control room continuously. They will give updates about the status of their location,” said an officer at the control room.
SPG Commandos would be handling the security at the venue where the Prime Minister would attend various functions. Kerala Police Commandos also have been deployed at these places. The Coastal Police is patrolling the backwaters continuously, while the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are monitoring movements in the shipping channel and outer sea.