Security beefed up in Shimla ahead of Budget session

Security has been beefed up in Shimla ahead of the Budget Session beginning February 16. The district police have deployed 872 police personnel for maintaining law and order in the town during the session. These include 15 gazetted officers, 30 non-gazetted officers, 66 head constables, 375 constables, 47 women constables and 16 communication staff of the district police.

Apart from this, about 200 Home Guard personnel will be deployed across the town. Quick Reaction Teams (QRT), Special Security Unit (SSU) and other specialised teams comprising 75 trained commandos will be stationed at various locations. Additionally, CID officials will be deployed across the town to gather intelligence inputs and for strengthening security arrangements.

Providing the information, Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Singh said, “Comprehensive and multi-layered security arrangements have been made by the district police in coordination with the district administration, intelligence agencies and officials of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly to maintain law and order and to ensure smooth conduct of proceedings during the session.”

“Overall coordination and supervision of security arrangements will be under the leadership of Anjum Ara, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Southern Range, Shimla,” he added.

In view of the possibility of protests, demonstrations, rallies and other activities during the session, the Assembly complex and surrounding areas have been divided into four sectors, the SSP said. "Gazetted police officers have been appointed as in-charge of each sector, under whose supervision the police force will effectively perform its duties,” he added.

To enhance security arrangements, CCTV cameras have been fully activated and if required, surveillance will also be carried out through digital videography, photography and drones, the SSP maintained.

The district administration has also divided the town into five sectors. During a meeting held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap directed all departments concerned to ensure that there was no security lapse and the session was held peacefully.

The SSP has also appealed to the people, including locals, tourists as well as public representatives, to cooperate during security checks and also refrain from believing rumours. He has also appealed to the people to immediately alert the police in case they notice any suspicious activity.