The Intelligence Bureau has alerted the Gujarat police to the possibility of protests by Tibetans during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping here on September 17.
“We are wary of any possible demonstrations by the Tibetan people in Gujarat or those coming into the State. There is a small Tibetan community in Vadodara. A group in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, has been active is such protests. The IB has given the names of a few people from a group of Tibetan refugees. Diplomatic and State visits from China are usually marked by protests,” Arun Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), told The Hindu .
Active surveillance and intelligence gathering have already begun, as the visit is a security nightmare not only owing to the visit of Mr. Xi but also because of the high threat perception for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will accompany Mr. Xi.
The programme at the one-kilometre stretch of the Sabarmati riverfront poses a challenge to security agencies due to its open landscape.
From Saturday, the police began patrolling the riverside, Mr. Sharma said.
Mr. Xi’s inner security ring will comprise of nearly 15 Chinese personnel, some of whom will be armed, as per the protocol.
The Gujarat police will deploy over 4,000 personnel, including senior police officers, on the day of the visit. As per official figures, 12 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 31 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 83 police inspectors, 252 sub-inspectors and 3,450 personnel from the constabulary will be part of the total strength of police deployment in the city and key locations. Superintendents of Police posted in other States, who have served in Gujarat have also been called.
Hotel Hyatt, where Mr. Xi will be hosted, has its own CCTV cameras to monitor the movement of people.
In addition, the police have deployed mobile vehicles fitted with CCTV cameras to keep a watch on places and people.
Police personnel will also take position on the rooftops of high-rises.
Verification of residents living in the vicinity of the locations earmarked for Mr. Xi’s visit has been undertaken.
The police have chartered three routes from the airport to the hotel, Gandhi Ashram and the riverfront.
The specific route taken by the dignitaries would be a last-minute decision.
Folk danceMr. Xi’s visit is set to be high on the cultural quotient rather than diplomacy.
A cultural programme at the riverfront will showcase Gujarat folk dances, like the ‘Garba’ and ‘Raas’ from Saurashtra.
