Security notched up in Mumbai on Republic Day eve

Mumbai:Security has been beefed up across the financial capital and along its coast on the eve of Republic Day against the backdrop of the nationwide crackdown on ISIS sympathisers, though there is no specific terror alert for the city.

Interestingly, leaves and weekly-offs of its almost 40,000-strong force are not cancelled, contrary to the practice.

“Police have taken all possible measures to prevent and avert any untoward incident in the financial capital,” said Mumbai Police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni.

When asked to comment on leaves of police personnel being left unaffected, Kulkarni said, “We are following all standard operating procedures and security arrangement at all iconic places, vital installations and vulnerable places across the city and at entry points has been augmented”.

The officer said that police are already conducting combing operations, checking hotel entries and monitoring crime-prone zones areas of the city.

“We are geared up to keep a full and strict vigil in the city,” he added.

Kulkarni said that police have not received any specific alert of terrorist attack.

“However, we are equally alert to avoid any eventuality and are in constant contact with other agencies,” he added.

Elaborating further, Kulkarni said over 2500 police jawans and officers would be deployed at Shivaji Park in Dadar and that “ample police presence has been ensured at vital installations including the police headquarters, Mantralaya, tourist spots, shopping malls and railway stations of heavy footfalls”.

Out of a total strength of 39273, the number of assistant sub-inspectors stood at 2895, head constables (7632) and police constables (21611).

Among 5504 officers, 2299 are sub-inspectors, 887 assistant police inspectors, 890 police inspectors, 74 assistant commissioners, 35 deputy commissioners, 9 additional commissioners and 5 joint commissioners.