2,000 cops to be deployed for oath-taking ceremony at Wankhede stadium

Around 2000 men from Mumbai police will be deployed in and around Wankhede stadium at Marine Drive to secure the oath taking ceremony of the chief minister on October 31st. The city police also had a meeting with Special Protection Group (SPG) in this regard on Tuesday. The police have also prohibited use of air drones in and around the venue.

"We had meeting with SPG. In that meeting we discussed about the routes that will be taken by the prime minister and other VVIPs to reach Wankhede stadium and his movement," said a senior Indian Police Service officer, requesting anonymity.

Police force of around 2000 including officers of various ranks would be deployed in and around the stadium. "Policemen will be present in mufti, men from Quick Response Team and State Reserve Police Force platoons will also be deployed. Routes of VIPs and ministers will be sanitised," said additional commissioner of police, south region, Krishna Prakash.

Prakash added that there is no specific threat that has been received by the police with regards to the event. "Air drones will not be used during the event in and around the venue," he said.

The police would also be conducting anti-sabotage checks and heavy frisking of visitors will be done. "There will be no-parking in and around Wankhede stadium and traffic restrictions would be imposed. Snipers will be positioned at strategic locations," said another police officer.

Dog Squad and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad of city police would also be deployed, sources said. "Cops will be armed with advanced communication equipment. We have also started taking preventive action on the drug addicts and beggars near the venue and are rounding them up," the officer said.