July 17: The Kamrup (metro) administration today started cleaning the historical Judges Field for Independence Day celebrations.

An official said the administration, with the help of Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), began the cleaning by cropping the grass. After cleaning, Judges Field would be handed over to the police and army for security arrangements, he said.

Dispur had banned holding of non-official functions on the ground after the members of Ulfa triggered twin blasts during last year’s Republic Day celebrations. Since then, the government has put the field under heavy security.

“According to plans, the police might further inspect the ground for any explosives planted by militants. Though there has been round-the-clock security on the ground for the last one year, the administration and police are not going to take any risk. They will take all possible steps to avoid any untoward incidents during Independence Day celebrations,” a source said.

Preparation of the ground and the security arrangements will be done under the close monitoring of senior officials of the state home department, the deputy commissioner of Kamrup metro, senior superintendent of police (special branch), army and the Intelligence Bureau.

Judges Field came into existence between 1850 and 1960, after the British government acquired the land. However, it was at the end of the last century, for the first time the field was allowed to be used for sporting activities. Since then, it witnessed many sports events including cricket matches between the Europeans and Indians during the British rule and the first Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament in 1952.

The ground was the most popular venue for holding public meetings whether it was the Indian freedom movement or the Assam movement.