Coimbatore, August 13: In Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, security has been significantly heightened ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Police and central security agencies have intensified surveillance at transportation hubs and other critical locations.
As part of the enhanced security protocols, personnel from the Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police, Coimbatore city police, and bomb detection teams conducted thorough inspections at the Coimbatore railway junction on Wednesday.
Trains stationed at platforms, parcel storage areas, waiting rooms, and other sensitive spots were examined using specialized bomb detection equipment and a sniffer dog. Passengers and their luggage were also screened, while security personnel maintained vigilance inside and around the station. Similar security measures have been implemented at Coimbatore International Airport, where access control, baggage checks, and surveillance have been reinforced ahead of the national festivities.
Coimbatore has long been regarded as a sensitive city by security agencies, making these extensive security measures particularly significant. On February 14, 1998, a series of bomb blasts occurred in Coimbatore just before a rally addressed by then BJP president L.K. Advani.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later classified this as an ISIS-inspired suicide attack and took over the investigation. The NIA conducted searches across Coimbatore and other parts of Tamil Nadu, focusing on car bombings and suspected radicalization and recruitment networks. In February 2024, the agency carried out searches at 21 locations statewide and arrested four suspects.
Previous operations had also resulted in the seizure of electronic devices and documents. Given this context, police are maintaining strict surveillance at crowded public places, transportation terminals, commercial areas, and places of worship.
Patrols and vehicle checks have been intensified, and the public is urged to report any unattended items or suspicious activities to the police immediately. Authorities have stated that this heightened deployment will continue until Independence Day.
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