City under tight security for I-Day celebrations

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 14

The Patiala Police have increased the security at all vital points in and around the city, in addition to stringent checks during night hours, ahead of the Independence Day function, to be held at the YPS Stadium.

Senior police officials have instructed the SHO officers to maintain vigil and ensure that all hotels and guest houses are checked. “Further, regular nakas have been laid near the YPS with policemen manning the road round the clock,” they said.

Sources said the inputs from intelligence wing has raised some concerns as many associations were already protesting against the state government and could try to enter the stadium and try to raise slogans. Many association members have been holding regular protests in Patiala and have threatened to lay siege Moti Bagh Palace, the official residence of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. 

However, this has raised the concern of the security agencies, as they will have to ensure smooth celebrations of Independence Day. 

Security and intelligence services have been put on a high alert to foil any attempt by anti-national elements. “We have conducted searches in all hotels and guest houses in the city to ascertain that no unidentified person was staying there without proper verification,” claimed senior officials. 

Meanwhile, the city police have also started holding regular nakas throughout the day and special vigil is being kept at night, with patrolling parties asked to frisk any suspect. “State police and para-military personnel have been deployed at all the strategic positions around the stadium and other strategic locations,” claimed the police officers.