BHUBANESWAR: Amid terror threat in the State, the Commissionerate Police had been carrying out surprise checks at all main commercial establishments and hotels for the last three days to identify security risks ahead of the Republic Day.
DCP Bhubaneswar Satyabrata Bhoi said all the IICs have been instructed to form separate teams comprising armed personnel and plain-clothed cops and mount surveillance on hotels in their respective jurisdiction.
The police officers have also been asked to verify CCTV camera footage from hotels, cyber cafes and shopping malls on a daily basis. The police are scanning through ID proofs all foreign nationals staying in hotels and keeping a close watch on them.
The officers and staff, who were part of the midnight surveillance on all main roads besides the hotels and guest houses, stated that they have not come across any suspicious activities so far.
Bhoi said tight security measures will be in place for the next 15 days till the threat perception is diminished, Bhoi said.
Speaking to this paper, Police Commissioner RP Sharma said Counter Terrorist Squad (CTS) and Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the Commissionerate Police have been put on high alert. Both these teams have been mobilised for intelligence gathering and made battle ready to neutralise terror elements in case of any eventuality.
Strict guidelines have been issued to the management and staff of all hotels in the city to maintain the guest entry registers and update database along with copies of guests’ identity proof failing which they will have to face action, Sharma added.