City police on high alert for Sonia’s visit

The special security arrangements assume significance in view of the fact that while other top leaders are provided with Z-plus security, Sonia has been given “high degree protection” according to State Chief Secretary P Subramaniam.

Briefing mediapersons today, Subramaniam said he had detailed consultations with city police commissioner R H Mendonca over the arrangements. Mobile police, strike police and the Rapid Action Force which had been deployed in and around the metropolis for poll duty would be able to reach any trouble spot within five to seven minutes. Similar arrangments have also been made for other cities and rural areas including tthe Naxalite infested districts of Gadchiroli,Bhandara and Chandrapur which go to polls tomorrow, he said.

According to sources in the police department, the size of the dias from where Sonia will address the rally has been reduced from 100 X 150 ft to 12 X 15 ft at the behest of the Intelligence agencies and the Special Protection Group (SPG) officers, who are primarily responsible for her personal security.

A three-tier cordon will be thrown around Sonia to restrict access to the dias. Only top Congress leaders will be allowed through all the tiers after screening, sources added.

The podium from which she will address the rally is also being brought from New Delhi. While the podium will be covered on three sides with only the head visible, a posse of SPG commandos attached to her personal security will cover the rear view, said sources. The local police constabulary has been asked to guard the arterial road from the Mumbai airport to Shivaji Park and sections extending upto Mani Bhavan in south Mumbai. An armed constable is expected to be postedat every 15 feet along the road and an officer every 100 metres.

All 10 zones of Mumbai police have been put on round-the-clock alert. Vehicles are being stopped and passengers are being screened to detect anti-social elements. City hotels have also been put under surveillance.

Police sources disclosed that 15 platoons comprising the State Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and the Border Security Force have been deployed to assist the police in maintaining law and order in the city.