15,000 cops deployed in Chennai-Mamallapuram for Indo-China summit

Chennai: Security has been beefed up in the city ahead of the India-China summit. Besides, both Chennai and Mamallapuram have turned into a visual treat after the beautification works are almost complete.

According to a senior police officer, over 15,000 police personnel have been deployed for bandobust duty across the city. Besides officers from the City Crime Branch (CCB), Traffic department and Traffic Investigation, Tamil Nadu Special Force, Rapid Action Force (RAP), Armed Forces (AR) and Tamil Nadu Commando Force have also been roped in for security reasons.

As Mamallapuram is in Kancheepuram police jurisdiction, IG North Nagarajan will also be in charge of security arrangements. Superintendents of six districts will be part of the security team, sources said. It is expected that the Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel by road, and cultural events will be conducted at multiple places.

Also, a Coast Guard Ship is stationed off the shore temple in Mamallapuram where more than 5,000 police personnel across the state have been deployed. Temporary police outposts have been set up in and around the town which will be under the watch of 500 CCTV cameras.

Local fishermen have been asked to stay away from the sea from Thursday, officials said. More than 1,500 students from Everwin School in Kolathur area of Chennai orchestrated a grand reception to the leaders ahead of their visit to the city. They were spotted wearing masks of the Chinese premier and waved flags of India and China.

Since Tuesday, the ancient monument at Mamallapuram has been restricted to the public based on an order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai circle. The order states, “In exercise of the powers conferred under rule 5 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains rules, 1959, entry to the public is suspended in the following monuments from 8.10.2019 till the completion of VVIP visit due to security reasons.”

The order was marked to the Director-General, ASI, New Delhi, District Collector, District Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram and Senior Conservation Assistant ASI, Mamallapuram sub circle.