Tight security in Shimla

SHIMLA, June 21: The arrangements for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's civic reception-cum-rally at the historic Ridge Maidan slated fo...

SHIMLA, June 21: The arrangements for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee8217;s civic reception-cum-rally at the historic Ridge Maidan slated for tomorrow, were given final touches by the state and Central agencies. The VVIP security norms would be strictly enforced during Vajpayee8217;s stay in the town. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was also briefed on the arrangements by the senior police and security officials.

Sniffer dogs, modern security devices, anti-sabotage gadgets and access-control measures would be in use from late evening today at The Ridge and also along the route selected for the Prime Minister8217;s movement.

Hundreds of policemen, commandos and other specially trained police jawans today moved in the town to guard the venue of the rally and also the VVIP entourage. 8220;All care is being taken to ensure a fool-proof security of the VVIPS,8221; Director General of Police B.S. Thakur told ENS.

The Ridge has been given a new look and special enclosures have been made for the public, dignitaries and media. Nearly 40,000 people are expected to reach Shimla tomorrow for the rally. The Ridge can accommodate around 25,000 people and rest are likely to spill-over on The Mall and towards Lakkar Bazar.

Prime Minister will land at Kalyani Helipad near Mashobra and would straight way drive down to call on President K.R. Narayanan at 8220;The Retreat8221;. After a brief halt, Vajpayee would move towards The Ridge via Dhalli. He is expected to stay at The Ridge for around 90 minutes for his civic reception. Soon after the rally, Prime Minister will arrive at the Raj Bhawan, where he would stay for lunch . Before flying back from Annadale helipad, Prime Minister would also attend a press conference.

Inquiries reveal that all along the route, there will be special police deployment. Some of the sensitive points have already been kept under strict vigilance and traffic control measures finalised to keep the roads clear for the motorcade of the Prime Minister. Heavy deployment had also been made at The Ridge and temporary view cutters also installed towards Padamdev complex for security reasons. Only selected persons including the VVIPS would be allowed to have access to the Prime Minister.

Since a large number of buses and other vehicles are expected tommorow, separate parking arrangements have been made by the local administration. All vehicles coming from upper Shimla area would be parked between St Bedes College and Chhotta Shimla.

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Parking lots have also been created towards Lakkar Bazar and Cart Road. The vehicle reaching Shimla from Bilaspur side, would be stopped near Boileu Ganj and parked at Ambedkar Chowk and could be parked on the parallel road leading from post office to IIAS chowk via Willows. The vehicles coming from Solan would be parked at Boileau Ganj barrier.

The police authorities admit that public and tourists might face little inconvenience in their movement during the Prime Minister8217;s visit.

A rare coincidence
Shimla, the historic town, which has been host to many pre and post-independence events of national and international significance, will have, yet, another one tomorrow.

This capital city is going to play host to the two most important persons of the country 8212; President K.R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. It is for the first time in the history of Shimla that the President and Prime Minister would be in town at the same time.

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While the President is already in Shimla on his summer sojourn at The Retreat, 8212; a holiday resort of the President and Prime Minister, the PM is reaching here for the civic reception-cum-rally at The Ridge.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal says,8220; June 22 will go down as a red- letter day in the history of Shimla and my political career as well.8221;