More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed in Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, and Tirupattur districts as part of security arrangements for new year celebrations from Wednesday afternoon.
The police had identified 265 vulnerable spots, which are accident-prone in these districts where additional police check posts were established to check drunk driving, over-speeding vehicles and more than two people travelling in two-wheelers. “Surveillance was increased especially in tourist spots like Jalagamparai and Bheeman falls. Barricades have been erected to prevent rash driving during celebrations,” M. Sudhakar, SP (Tiruvannamalai) told The Hindu.
A 30-member police team conducted a combing operation in Yelagiri Hills on Wednesday to prevent any untoward incidents during new year celebrations. At present, the hills have 75 registered hotels and more than two dozen resorts, covering at least 32 tribal hamlets. Two police checkpoints in Yelagiri Hills were set up to prevent rash driving along the route that has at least 14 hairpin bends. Around 1,500 vehicles are expected to the Hills during the new year celebrations.
Security arrangements in the newly formed Ranipet district were monitored by Ayman Jamal, SP (Ranipet). Around 650 police personnel were deployed on national highways, key intersections, and crowded areas.
Additional police personnel were also roped for surprise vehicle checks at 37 spots in the district. Highway patrol teams will monitor vehicles on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway, Kaveripakkam-Arakkonam Road, Ocheri-Arakkonam Road, Walajapet-Chittoor Road.
In Vellore, the Superintendent of Police A. Myilvaganan has warned motorists do bike racing and stunts during New Year celebrations, that severe action will be taken on them including denial of NOC for passport application and in joining government service.
Around 800 police personnel were deployed in 44 vulnerable spots in the district. Besides, 75 bike patrolling teams were pressed into service. He also said that all hotels and clubs should check vehicles thoroughly before letting them in. Installing CCTV cameras was made mandatory and a record of vehicles entering the premises should be maintained.
