Night domination op intensified, 38 red alert nakas set up ahead of I-Day

Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations in Ludhiana, security has been beefed up in the industrial hub. In addition to routine patrolling, the number of nakas was increased to check suspicious vehicles and persons.

On Monday, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav held range-level meetings with officials of the Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana Commissionerates and Border, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ropar Police Ranges. The DGP gave instructions to all CPs/SSPs to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensifying domination operation and implementing other preventive and detective measures.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma launched a checking and oversaw security arrangements at the Verka Milk Plant chowk.

“Security has been increased ahead of the Independence Day. As many as 38 red alert nakas have been set up on Tuesday where police personnel checked every vehicle and suspicious persons. Senior officials remained present at the red alert points. Though the nakas remained active throughout the day and night, strict checking was conducted on Tuesday for specific hours and the only motive was to prevent any anti-social element from entering the city and carrying any objectionable act,” he said.

Sharma said two officials, along with 200 policemen, used to lead the routine night domination operation by the city police. However, from now onwards till August 15, the night domination exercise had been tripled. Hence, six officials, along with 600 policemen, would remain active throughout the night as part of security measures.

The CP also revealed that the city had nine parking lots and the police stated that random checking of the parking spaces was also being conducted. Through the Vahan app, parked vehicles are being verified to prevent parking of any unwanted vehicle.

Meanwhile, the city police said the police control room had been actively keeping tabs on suspicious persons and vehicles, with live feed from over 1,600 CCTV cameras being watched 24x7.

DCP (law and order) Parminder Singh Bhandal, who was also accompanying the Commissioner of Police, said sufficient security arrangements were made to keep the law and order situation under control ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.

“Besides three-hour strict checking at red alert nakas, checking at public places, bus stand and railway station was also conducted where suspicious persons and their belongings were examined,” he said.