With an aim to ensure adequate security arrangements during the Rose Festival, the Chandigarh Police have decided to depute an anti-sabotage squad permanently to carry out as many as five checks every day during the festival.

Nearly 500 personnel will be deployed as part of the security measures this year. Special emphasis will be laid on maintaining security in parking lots with all vehicles to be screened before being allowed entry inside the lot.

While requesting the general public to remain vigilant during the festival, Superintendent of Police (Security and Traffic) Hardeep Singh Doon said, “We will provide general parking for vehicles along the roads encircling Rose Garden. Traffic personnel will man the parking areas to avoid haphazard parking. All the vehicles will be checked with mirrors and other gadgets.”

The police have already erected eight raised platforms in the garden to keep an eye on people. Sources with the police say officials in plain clothes will also be deployed in and around the garden.

Doorframe metal detectors manned by six to eight policemen, including three lady officers, will constitute the security arrangements at every entry point.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Madhur Verma said closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at all entry and exit points.

“Two control rooms have been set up inside the garden from where the minutest information would be passed on to the control room. A fully-equipped team will remain on standby to meet any untoward incident during the festival,” he said.

DSP (Traffic) J S Cheema, meanwhile, said there will be no hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic.

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