Siliguri Metropolitan Police and other authorities have beefed up security in and around Siliguri,especially at the vital installations, before the 78th Independence Day.

At the Bagdogra airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with the CISF which provides security at the transit point, tightened the security and restrictedthe entry of outsiders atthe airport.

“We have restricted the entry of outsiders at the airport since last week and till the Independence Day. Drones have been engaged to carry out surveillance,” said Mohammad Arif, theairport director.

“The security has been enhanced and passengers are allowed to board only after the secondary ladder point check or random checking of passengers’ luggage,” he added.

Sources said the secondary ladder point check (SLPC) system is a secondary-level security procedure mandated by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Under this system, airline personnel have to frisk passengers and their hand luggage even after the security clearance from the CISF, just before they board the aircraft.

Every day, around 8,000 passengers move through Bagdogra, the second most important airport in Bengal. Around 60 flight movements are recorded at the airport every day.

In and around Siliguri, the Siliguri Metropolitan Police and the Darjeeling district police have started conducting checks. Checkpoints have been raised in highways and other roads to check vehicles while teams are moving into shopping malls, bus terminus, and other publicplaces to conduct checks at regular intervals.

“Such exercises are being carried out for public safety. The checking and vigilance will continue.” said apolice officer.

Also, the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force have beefed up security at the New Jalpaiguri railway station.