Heavy security for Vajpayee’s election halt in Vadodara

Heavy security arrangements have been made in the city for Vajpayee’s visit, during which he is to address a meeting at the Navlakhi grounds.

Apart from a 2,200 strong force of city policemen, about 400 additional policemen have been called from the adjoining districts, besides those requisitioned from the State Reserve Police Force and Government Railway Police. Security personnel will also be posted all the along the way from Harni airport to the Circuit House.

A total of 500 head constables, 200 home guards, two companies of SRPF, eight horse parties, five Deputy Superintendents of Police, 14 police inspectors and 53 police sub-inspectors will be posted at the meeting ground. Sniffer dogs have also been brought from Ahmedabad for the purpose.

The arrangements at the meeting venue will be supervised by District Commissioner of Police (South) Mohan Jha and District Superintendent of Police, Vadodara rural, Vivek Srivastava.

The Valmiki Corner of the Circuit House — where Vajpayee is to stay for the night — was thoroughly combed by the Special Police Guard sleuths, who have been camping here for the last two days.

Senior police officials from Gandhinagar, including those from intelligence department, also descended on the city on Sunday to supervise the security arrangements. They also met Police Commissioner J Mahapatra and District Collector Anil Mukim for more than an hour.

Pagers, mobile phones and handbags have been banned at the meeting venue. Vehicles coming from the direction of Makarpura have been requested to park in the Polo Grounds; those from other directions may park at Kala Bhawan.

An administration spokesman said arrangements during the PM’s visit were being made as per the protocol, lest there be allegations of “misuse of official machinery for political purpose”.

Earlier in the day, Mukim held an hour-long meeting with top officials of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Gujarat Electricity Board, Road and Buildings and the telecom departments to ensure proper functioning of their services during the PM’s visit.

All venues scheduled to be visited by Vajpayee were also examined by the local authorities from the security point of view.

Union Industry Minister Sikander Bakht will address public meetings in Godhra, Dhoraji and Rajkot on Monday. According to his itinerary, he will first address a meeting in Godhra followed by a meeting in Dhoraji. Later, at about 8.30 pm, he will address a meeting in Rajkot. BJP national president Kushabhau Thakre will arrive in the State on Tuesday. Thakre will address a rally in Surat as well as a public meeting in Himmatnagar on the same day.