Title - Police take steps to ensure essential services

The State police have made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the general strike called by some political parties and unions on Thursday to protest the hike in the price of diesel. Instructions were given to ensure the maintenance of essential services, safety of public transport and normal traffic flow, police sources said on Wednesday.“All Commissioners/Superintendents of Police have been told to enhance patrolling, vehicle checks and surveillance. Necessary steps have been taken to make sure that normal life is not affected,” a senior police official said.In Chennai, Commissioner of Police S. George reviewed security arrangements with senior police officers. “We will not allow any group to force closure of shops. Police will prevent any attempt to take out processions or cause disruption to road traffic. Steps have been taken to maintain essential services and safety of public transport, particularly school buses,” he said.The Chennai Police were coordinating with the Government Railway Police.