Calicut International Airport at Karipur witnessed the biggest ever turnout of VIPs in its history as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his colleagues in the Union Ministry and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flew down to attend the party’s national council being held at Kozhikode on Saturday.
The airport saw unprecedented security as dozens of BJP leaders, including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of different States, reached Karipur by special flights. BJP State leaders received the VIPs at the airport.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying Mr. Modi reached Karipur at 4.25 p.m. State Police Chief Loknath Behera, General Administration Secretary Usha Titus, District Collector A. Shainamol, District Police Superintendent Debesh Kumar Behara and a bevy of BJP leaders received Mr. Modi on the tarmac. He proceeded to Kozhikode by an IAF chopper.
Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader L.K. Advani arrived on a Border Security Force (BSF) aircraft.
Six special flights
Apart from the IAF and BSF flights, six special flights were operated to carry the BJP leaders.
Coastal security
Staff Reporter writes from Kozhikode: The coastline of the city has been brought under close surveillance following the arrival of Mr. Modi.
The Coast Guard, Coastal Police, and Marine Enforcement wings are conducting regular patrolling off the Kozhikode coast.
The Coast Guard has pressed into service its two vessels for surveillance and patrolling. Coastline beginning from Beypore to Koyilandy will be the main surveillance area.
The Beypore coastal police station will make use of its three patrolling boats to support the surveillance initiatives. To meet the additional requirements, one more patrolling boat from the Azeekkal port has been brought to the Beypore station. The support of local fishermen has been ensured across the coastline to monitor all movements and ensure better communication with the officials.
Police sources said the three harbours - Puthiyappa, Vellayil, and Beypore - will be closely monitored till the return of the Prime Minister on Sunday evening.
Swapnanagari, the main venue of Sunday’s BJP meeting, is now under surveillance with additional number of policemen from the city under the leadership of SPG and NSG wings. On Sunday, traffic restrictions will be in place from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Kozhikode-Kannur National Highway and the Kozhikode mini bypass road.
