The police department wants a separate security wing to be set up in the Port City in view of increasing VIP movement besides frequent visits by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Sources said the proposal has already got sanction from the finance department. Presently, the security cover for VIPs is being looked after by the City Armed Reserve (CAR) cops who have their own dog squads and bomb disposal squads.
According to the sources, the city police have suggested that the separate security wing should have a manpower of 400 personnel along with dog squads, bomb disposal squads, road opening parties (ROPs), culvert checking squads, and vehicle checking squads. The cops will have to undergo specialised training before becoming a part of the wing, sources said. “Visits by VIPs to the city have increased post bifurcation. At any given day, four to five VIPs arrive in the city. Even the Chief Minister visits Vizag at least once a week or thrice a month,” a senior police officer said. “Adding to this, there are dharnas by political parties and various organisations that need to have tight security,” he added.
The state government opened up more than 1,700 vacancies at the Vijayawada Police Commissionerate to strengthen the city security wing and policing in the newly created Tulluru Revenue Sub Division in April this year of which more than 580 posts were sanctioned for the Vijayawada security wing. The Port City police have also asked the state government to sanction posts for the proposed city security wing, sources said.
