Police on alert for VVIPs

But it seems to be a tough time for the policemen. "If the Prime Minister is in the capital, no one bothers much as the Special Protection Group (SPG) take over the security responsibility. We have to follow only the diktats. But with 25 ministers in site, the policemen will have to play a role of entertaining a baarat," reacts a senior intelligence officer.

But this is not the end. For the last two days almost all top officials of the Central departments are trying to contact their `big bosses’.

"If our Union Minister is in the city, how can we restrict ourselves to contact and meet him, may it be for courtesy," replied a senior official in the revenue department.

And as far as work in various headquarters is concerned, the departments are left with one or two policemen to take care of the office. Keeping the urgency in mind, the government has also cancelled the leaves and vacations of all policemen. Telegrams were sent to all those who were on vacation.

They were told to remain present in their office for the three most crucial days. "Jarurat padne par to hame jawano ko bulana hi padta hai" (If urgency is felt, we have to call the jawans back).

But it is not only the Union Ministers. Some of the Union Ministers have arrived with their wives, personal assistants and private secretaries. The government, initially had decided to deploy special force for them. But later, each minister was given a car and a cop for security.

About 100 commandos, who were initially given to Gandhinagar police for special security arrangements were later handed over to the Intelligence Bureau and CID police. Officials say that only half a dozen ministers who are provided with Z plus category of security require strict security measures.

But troubles are apprehended at last minutes of departure. Though the Bharatiya Janata Party workers are tackling the officials of Central government departments to fix a meeting for them with their minister, they are also helping personal secretaries of the VIPs to get things of their choice from the fashion arcades of Ahmedabad. But security will have to be with them till they leave.