2,000 cops to guard Shivaji Park for Uddhav’s oath ceremony

MUMBAI: At least 2,000 police personnel would guard the Shivaji Park here on Thursday evening as part of the elaborate security arrangements being made for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister of Maharashtra, a police official said.

Police personnel in civil clothes would also be deployed, the official said, adding that drones and CCTV cameras would be used to monitor the crowd. File photo

Mumbai, November 28

At least 2,000 police personnel would guard the Shivaji Park here on Thursday evening as part of the elaborate security arrangements being made for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as chief minister of Maharashtra, a police official said.

The iconic venue will turn into a virtual fortress as personnel drawn from various security forces, including Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Police, State Reserve Police Force, Local Armed Police and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad will be deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Dog squads would also be on duty to maintain a vigil at the sprawling ground, located in Dadar area, he said.

Police personnel in civil clothes would also be deployed, the official said, adding that drones and CCTV cameras would be used to monitor the crowd.

“People will not be allowed to carry any bags, including those meant to keep laptops, and water bottles inside the park,” he said.

Frisking of every individual would be done before their being allowed to enter the venue, he added.

Shiv Sainiks are emotionally connected to the Shivaji Park as it is the place where party founder late Bal Thackeray used to address his Dussehra rallies, a tradition still kept alive by his son Uddhav Thackeray.

Senior police officers, including joint commissioner of police (law and order) Vinoy Choube, reviewed the security preparations at the venue on Wednesday, the official said.

They also discussed issues like parking of vehicles for the invitees and VIPs and traffic management.

Political leaders cutting across party lines, celebrities, businessmen and industrialists are expected to witness Thackeray’s oath-taking ceremony, he said.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and DMK leader M K Stalin have been invited for the function.

The Sena has also invited nearly 400 farmers, including members of families of agriculturists who committed suicide, a party leader earlier said. PTI