Patna: Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan will host the state’s main Independence Day celebrations on Thursday under an extensive security cordon, with police and intelligence agencies across Bihar placed on high alert.
The Police Headquarters, acting on intelligence inputs, has instructed IGs, DIGs, SPs, SSPs and Railway SPs in all districts to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. Security has been intensified from Patna to border districts, including railway stations, bus stands, airports and major religious sites such as Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, Patna’s Mahavir Temple and the Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara. Border areas near Nepal are under drone and CCTV surveillance, with the Anti-Terrorism Squad on alert. Authorities have warned that any lapse in security will not be tolerated, and heightened measures will remain in place through upcoming festivals.
A key highlight of this year’s parade will be the participation of Sikkim Police, joining 19 other contingents including CRPF, CISF, ITBP, Bihar Police, women commandos, NCC units and the dog squad. Led by ASP Danapur Shivam Dhakad, the parade has been in rehearsal since August 1, with a full dress rehearsal scheduled for August 13.
Security at Gandhi Maidan will include the deployment of over 100 police officers, hundreds of armed and lathi forces, plainclothes personnel, and additional companies of armed and crowd-control units. At Patna airport, heightened checks have extended passenger screening times, while railway stations are under intensified patrol, with dog squads searching premises.
In a related move, East Central Railway has suspended parcel services between Bihar and Delhi from August 12 to 15 as a security precaution. The temporary ban affects major stations including Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Danapur, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur, and applies to both leased and regular parcel coaches. Services will resume on 16 August.
