Army, Coast Guard called in to fortify Chennai for World Cup match tomorrow
CHENNAI: The city is getting fortified like never before on the eve of the India-West Indies World Cup match on Sunday.
In the wake of intelligence reports suggesting possible threat to the World Cup venue, the state police have recommended the Army to deploy anti-aircraft arms at strategic places. The DGP has also asked the Indian Coast Guard to step up surveillance along the Chennai coast. The Coast Guard will deploy two of its vessels along the Chennai coast to monitor movements in the sea. More than 2,000 police personnel will be on vigil in and around the MAC Stadium at Chepauk.
"We are taking the help of Army and Coast Guard to provide strategic support," Chennai police commissioner T Rajendran told reporters. The stadium and its periphery will be cordoned off and traffic would be diverted around the area. Only people with valid passes will be allowed near the stadium.
Fishermen along the Chennai coast have been asked to report any suspicious movement to the police. The intelligence wings have been asked to activate the coastal village committees for intelligence gathering.
The police have installed 180 CCTV cameras in and around the stadium and have set up a control room to monitor feeds from each of them. In addition to the city police, two Swift Action Groups of 100 personnel each and two Quick Reaction Teams of an equal number will take positions in the stadium. These teams will be armed with assault rifles like AK-47s and AK-56s Plainclothes policemen will mingle with the crowd.
Army, Coast Guard called in to fortify Chennai for World Cup match tomorrow - The Times of India