Mumbai put on high-alert for Republic Day

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has issued an alert ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on Thursday, warning that terrorists could strike crowded areas and requested the public to intimate police about any suspicious activity they notice. Officials from the ATS department claimed that following the recent Pathankot attack, any terrorist activity could attack crowded place in the city.

An official said on anonymity, “ATS team is already looking after the suspicious activity in all over the major places in the Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra. It is necessary to stay alert and therefore they have informed public to stay alert and inform police officials about the suspicious things.” While all eyes are set on the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in Delhi, other cities too take the day quite seriously. Mumbai will move the Republic Day parade back to its traditional spot at Shivaji Park.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Mumbai police PRO, DCP Ashok Dudhe said, “We are on high alert and have reviewed the bandobast situation in the city. More than 1,550 security personnel will be guarding the parade ground. Mumbai police has arranged a bandobast in Shivaji Park, along with  barricading, and will keeping a close eye through the CCTVs at various points. About 95 per cent of Mumbai police’s manpower will be deployed on streets for the Republic Day. There will also be crime branch and special forces deployed for protection.”