VISAKHAPATNAM: A high alert has been sounded in the city with security being beefed up at busy public places, markets, Central Government establishments and public sector units, including the Port, in the wake of the terror attack in Punjab. While the city police have spread a security blanket across the city, CRPF personnel have strengthened security at the PSUs.
The Central and the State Governments have issued an alert to all district police authorities to maintain high vigil and conduct regular vehicle checks to avoid untoward incidents. The city has figured among the top 10 cities under terrorist threat and the police have heightened vigil across the city.
The Central security forces at all public sector units also have been asked to enhance surveillance and coordinate with the city police to share any information pertaining to suspicious movement of any person.
The police have launched a search across the city and are collecting information on people staying in hotels and lodges. Details of outsiders residing on the outskirts of the city are also being collected. “There is a sizeable population of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Vizag. Hence, we are checking every suspicious person,” a police officer said.
Besides vehicular checking, security was tightened at the port, the airport, the railway station and the bus stands in the city. More policemen have been deployed at all major shopping malls, crowded markets, important junctions and also business centres.
As the State Government has decided to host Independence Day celebrations at the Ramakrishna Beach in the city, the police have intensified patrolling and checking along the Beach Road. The marine police also have been put on high alert and were asked to increase patrolling along the coast.
“We have briefed our officers and men to be vigilant and watchful in the wake of the Punjab incident and an alert is being maintained,” police commissioner Amit Garg said. He urged people to cooperate with the police during checking and provide relevant documents, when asked for. On behalf of the city police, he expressed condolences to the families of the policemen who lost their lives fighting the terrorists in Punjab.