Dangs gears up with RAF drill

AHWA DANGS, DEC 24: Even as three companies of the Rapid Action Force RAF undertook an inspection of Ahwa town early on Thursday to pr...

AHWA DANGS, DEC 24: Even as three companies of the Rapid Action Force RAF undertook an inspection of Ahwa town early on Thursday to prepare for the visit of Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Karvir Pith on Christmas day, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP was a step ahead, giving finishing touches to the priest8217;s whirlwind tour beginning Friday.

While the Dangs district administration admitted it was not aware of the detailed programme of the VHP and the Hindu Jagran Manch HJM, VHP joint general secretary Dr Jaideep Patel in Ahmedabad dashed off a press release detailing the Shankaracharya8217;s six-day itinerary. He, however, claimed there was 8220;no public programme8221; anywhere.

Meanwhile, an apprehensive Church of North India CNI cancelled its cultural programmes on Christmas and picnic on December 26. 8220;If everything goes well, we will go for a picnic on December 27,8221; a representative of the United Tribal Christian Council told The Indian Express.

The Shankaracharya will first arrive at a8220;disciple8217;s house8221; in Mulgi village in Navsari district where he will be welcomed by 8220;bhakts and followers,8221; said Patel.

On December 25, he will be received by disciples at the Dandkeshwar Mahadev Temple at 10 am in the heart of Ahwa town.

From there, he will proceed to Navapur on the Gujarat-Maharashtra border in Surat district for a similar welcome programme at 2 pm. The next day, he will go to Chhindwad in Valsad district. On December 27, he will proceed to Karanjkheth on the border. Two other programmes will be held in Prakasha and Aahda villages, which are in Maharashtra but close to the border with Gujarat.

Dangs District Collector J P Gupta admitted that the administration is clueless about the 8220;exact plans8221; of the VHP and the HJM. In fact, he says, 8220;We don8217;t even know if the Shankaracharya is really coming.8221; But the administration is not taking chances, with 11 companies of the SRP and the RAF having already been positioned at strategic locations.

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The purpose of the RAF drill in Ahwatown, undertaken by more than 300 RAF jawans, was 8220;to ensure that nobody needs to fear as the government has provided enough protection. The drill was also a warning to mischief mongers that nobody should take any chances,8221; said the Collector.