More than 2,500 police personnel, apart from bomb detection and disposal squad and other specialist forces, will keep vigil over the area where Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate M. Narendra Modi is scheduled to speak at Nehru Maidan in the city on Tuesday.
The security plans also include numerous traffic restrictions that more-or-less cordons off the heart of the city before and during Mr. Modi’s arrival at 3 p.m.
1 lakh peopleAddressing reporters here on Sunday, City Police Commissioner R. Hitendra said no stone was unturned to ensure the safety of the rally, where they expect nearly 1 lakh people to congregate. While traffic restrictions will be in place from noon on Tuesday, there will be a total ban on parking 500m around Nehru Maidan after 6 p.m. on Monday itself, he said.
Dial 100“We have put up notices in offices and colleges of the area. We have also contacted brokers and house owners for information of those staying there on rent. If the public finds anyone suspicious or has any information they can call us (100),” said Mr. Hitendra.
A total of 467 officers of various ranks, 1,806 constables, 300 home guards will be posted in the area, while eight platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, two bomb detection and disposal squads, a disaster management team, five fire tenders among others will be posted at 13 check posts in the area. All this excludes the Z+ category security force that Mr. Modi brings along with him.
Apart from this, there will be strict checking of those who enter. Matchboxes, lighters, water bottles, bags, cameras and flammable material will be prohibited in the exhibition ground.
Police officials said there were no intelligence reports warning of tension in other parts of the district due to the rally.
