I-Day: Security tightened in southern districts

According to police sources, one lakh personnel have been posted on security duty for Independence Day across the state. Pamban bridge has been identified as a vulnerable point and Railway police personnel and Railway Protection Force have been posted on duty throughout the day.

Policemen are seen walking on the bridge with guns and metal detectors round the clock. Even the fishermen have been issued orders not to fish for three days in the Pamban area. They will also not be allowed to cross the Pamban bridge in the next three days.

Similarly, security has been strengthened at all the Railway stations, bus stands, airports, coastal areas, temples and in tourist destinations. At Ramanthaswamy Temple, devotees have been asked to switch off their mobile phones.

At Madurai junction, Railway police are using dog squads to check the baggage of passengers. At all the places, public are asked to pass only through metal detectors. In Madurai and Thoothukudi airports, apart from the baggage, vehicles of the passengers are also checked. Along with metal detectors, car bomb detectors have also been deployed.

Marine police and the Indian Coast Guard are also involved in providing coastal security from Kanniyakumari to Rameswaram and are closely monitoring the fishing boats.