Nagpur: Commissioner of police Ravinder Singal has asked the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) to step up surveillance and anti-sabotage checks in and around sensitive installations and high-security locations like Vidhan Bhavan, morcha stopping points, and other places where crowding is likely during the winter session, which kicks off on Monday.
Apart from Nagpur city, BDDS squads from various other units have been summoned for the session. Singal urged the force to work on a mission mode with the tagline ‘Majha Vishwas, Majhi Team' (My Belief, My Team). The city police brass, in coordination with the state and central intelligence agencies, has prepared a special anti-sabotage blueprint.
Coordination was also established with the State Anti-Terrorist Squads. The khupiya, or intelligence units, at the police stations are set to function round-the-clock, said a source.
In view of the threats from anti-national outfits and intel inputs about possible attempts to target the govt, city police brass has formulated a strategy to ensure the BDDS teams check every unattended and abandoned object near strategic security locations.
Periodic checks by BDDS teams would be done at several locations, including residences and office of the ministers. Security checks have been stepped up at Raj Bhavan, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, RSS headquarters, Deekshabhoomi and exteriors of the railway stations. Sources said a substantial number of forces in plain clothes would also be deployed across the city.
Singal, during the pre-deployment bandobast briefing at the Shivaji Stadium at the police headquarters on Saturday, reminded the force about mismanagement that led to the ‘Gowari Stampede' that claimed lives of 117 agitators during the winter assembly session a few decades ago. He urged the force to be sensitive and sympathetic while managing the agitators, demonstrators and protestors.
The CP also stressed that police may need to work on a war footing to tackle any emergencies arising due to social media rumours and fake news.
Senior officials were provided special directories containing contact numbers and information of all the units and agencies concerned which can be contacted during emergencies. Sources stated around 3,000 CCTV cameras were linked to the Command Control Centre. Drones would also be pressed into action from Monday for aerial surveillance of key locations and morchas. The visiting senior police officers are likely to hit the streets on Monday when two big morchas have been permitted. Some key carriageways and junctions too have been placed under surveillance.