Bhubaneswar, Aug. 13: Security has been tightened in and around the city for the ensuing celebrations of the 71st Independence Day. Around 50 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed on Mahatma Gandhi Marg here for the state-level parade.

"Around 25 platoons of police personnel along with 200 police officers and the Odisha Swift Action Force will be deployed on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg on the parade day. CCTVs will be installed on Mahatma Gandhi Marg and on various lanes and bylanes on the stretch to keep an eye on the entire area," said police commissioner Y.B. Khurania.

An anti-sabotage team along with sniffer dog squad will be deployed for anti-explosive checks at various strategic locations in the city, including Baramunda bus terminal, the railway station and the airport. The police will keep a tab on the movement of vehicles from Nakhara, Uttara Square, Nandankanan, Pokhariput-Jatni Road.

The police will also keep a strict vigil on strategic and sensitive locations in the city, such as Lingaraj Temple, Nandankanan and Khandagiri hills.

The police stations concerned have also been asked to conduct periodic surprise checks at city hotels. Panic gripped the city on January 26 last year after five Iranian nationals reportedly disappeared from a city hotel on being asked to produce identity proofs before entering their rooms.

However, on January 28, the Andhra Pradesh police detained all of them and subsequent investigation had revealed that all the five foreigners had valid tourist visas.

The police have kept a strict vigil on vehicles entering into the city. Around eight platoons of police would be pressed into action at various entry and exit points. "Police stations have been asked to visit the hotels and check their incumbency chart. Armed police personnel have been engaged at various points to check the vehicles coming in to the city," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

The police also advised the city residents to carry identity proofs while travelling at night. "As there will be frisking of vehicles from Sunday night, citizens are being advised to carry identity proofs with them. We urge them to cooperate with us," said another police officer.