Elaborate security measures will be in place for the Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally at Palace Grounds here on Sunday.
Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar, who briefed the press on Friday on the security arrangements being made in the last 10 days, estimated a turnout of three lakh people at the venue. He said he that would be supervising the security arrangements at the grounds, assisted by at least 3,000 police personnel, including 10 deputy commissioners of police from the city.
When Mr. Auradkar’s attention was drawn to the capacity of the grounds, which is estimated to accommodate only 1.5 lakh people, Mr. Auradkar said that alternative arrangements will be made if the numbers swell.
As part of the security, 70 high-definition infra-red cameras, which can scan over vast distances and even during the night, have been installed at the venue.
Anti-sabotage checks will be carried out by a team consisting of personnel from 18 districts of the State. To counter any emergency, the police are in touch with the hospitals, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards and the National Disaster Management Authority.
The police have briefed party workers regarding the security and 1,400 BJP volunteers will pitch in for crowd management on the rally day.
There will be at least two levels of frisking for anyone entering the premises. Even police personnel and employees deployed for work at the grounds will be asked to produce their identity proof.
Apart from this, the police said that new tenants in localities in the vicinity of Palace Grounds have been checked. The police have rounded up history-sheeters in various parts of the city. All public places, including bus and railway stations, will be checked as well.
Entry from 9 a.m.
Entry for the public to the grounds begins at 9 a.m. (the rally begins at 9 a.m.) Entry points to the venue are Krishna Vihar, Tripura Vasini, Circus Gate and Bellary Road. Items such as beedi and cigarettes, matchboxes, any sharp objects, helmets, handbags and flags, apart from any explosive material, including firecrackers have been banned on the premises.
Ban on liquor
To prevent any untoward instances on the day of the rally, the Police Commissioner has banned sale of liquor in all wine stores, pubs and bars coming under the Yeshwanthpur and J.C. Nagar police station limits. The ban will be in effect from 6 a.m. on Sunday till midnight.