18,000 cops out on streets to help you get to work safely

The Mumbai police have said they will throw a blanket of security over the city to prevent any unruly behaviour as political parties attempt to enforce a nationwide band today in protest of the steep hike in petrol prices.

The Mumbai police have said they will throw a blanket of security over the city to prevent any unruly behaviour as political parties attempt to enforce a nationwide band today in protest of the steep hike in petrol prices.

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"Preventive action of all types would be taken to ensure that the normal life is not disrupted," joint commissioner of police (law and order) Rajnish Seth said on Wednesday. Seth assured Mumbaiites that there was no need for them to worry and they can go to work as usual.

Seth said that leave of all policemen in the city had been cancelled. Another senior police official said nearly 18,000 police personnel would be posted across the city on Thursday. In addition, 3,100 personnel have been called in from the local arms division and another 500 have been placed in reserve. "Also, 25 platoons of the State Reserve Police Force, three platoons of the Riot Control Police, and three platoons of the Rapid Action Force would also be deployed," the official said. The specially-equipped delta mobile vans would be placed on alert as well to move to any spot.

The official added that on Wednesday night, police would begin preventive arrests of known troublemakers. All senior officials, including all deputy commissioners of police and the additional commissioners of police would be on the ground for the bandobast. Police have also enforced Section 37(3) of the Bombay Police Act, prohibiting assembly of people.