Tight security ring for peaceful R-Day

NASHIK: Strict police bandobast has been put in place across the city on the backdrop of the Republic Day on Monday. The police officials said that apart from checking the important establishments by the Bomb Detection and the Disposal Squad (BDDS), they have also conducted combing operations and made visits in the residential societies across the city.
Keeping in mind the security for the Republic Day, deputy commissioner of police Sandeep Diwan said that apart from a bandobast of around 70 personnel at the Police Parade ground where the flag hoisting programme will take place, fixed points will also be put up across the city
“We have increased the security cover in the last three-four days.Nakabandis are being conducted on a regular basis. Besides, combing operations were also implemented on Saturday from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm and on Friday from 9.30 pm to 12.30 pm,” Diwan added.
Hotels, lodges, temples, malls and other important establishments in the city are being continuously checked for the two to three days, said Diwan, Diwan said, adding that the police have come across any suspicious person or activity.
The senior official said they were undertaking surprise nakabandis and combing operations and people in residential areas were also being checked. The officials said the citizens were being asked to report to the police immediately if they come across any suspicious person in their vicinity. The police were also checking vehicles during the nakabandis.
Diwan said that on Saturday as many as 450 residential societies were visited by the senior police officials to spread security awareness among them. Officers of different police stations were given a target of visiting the residential societies which was completed on Sunday.
Hotels and lodges were also being checked, he added. The BDDS has scanned important establishments across the city, including the railway station, malls and religious places like the Muktidham in the Nashik Road division to check the presence of any suspicious object. The police personnel have also made surprise checks in different parts of the city to check the security arrangement.
Meanwhile, the city residents have begun preparing for the Republic Day celebration — the flags have been bought, tricolour coordinated clothes have been readied to be worn on Monday and the poles have been put up at he residential societies and school sand colleges for flag hoisting.
Tejas Chavan and his group of friends have been hoisting the national flag every Independence Day and Republic Day. They have also been creating awareness about respecting the tricolour.
“It has been more than five years since we began creating awareness among people not to buy plastic flags. Fortunately, it has been banned now. We have also been creating awareness among people not to throw the national flag and show disrespect to it after the Republic Day celebrations are over. We hoist the flag every year at Pandavleni and many young girls and boys join us,” said Tejas.
Rasika Vinayak, an undergraduate student of commerce said she enjoyed being part of the entire process as she got the opportunity to flaunt her tricolour traditional costume.
“In college it used to be very boring to go for flag hoisting but now we participate I flag hoisting in our building. I feel patriotic attending the ceremony,” said Rasika.
Shantaram Phadke, a senior citizen, said that his senior citizens’ club observed Independence and Republic Days every year.
“There has not been a single year that I have not hoist the national flag. We must respect the tricolour and the country. These days, many people prefer going out for a short vacation or enjoy the day off from work, but that is not right,” said Phadke.
Adarsh Naik, a senior HR consultant said that more number of students have been hoisting the flag these days probably due to the exposure by the social networking sites.
“Many youngsters who used to sleep at home are now seen hoisting the flag early in the mornings and within a next few hours, the social networking sites and cell phones are filled with pictures of the tricolour. I have been hoisting the flag every year with the other families of my residential society and we also hold inspiring lectures for the children for 10-15 minutes in addition to the cultural programmes,” said Naik.