Security beefed up for Prez visit

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Sep 5, 2013 at 2:36 PM Updated On : Sep 5, 2013 at 5:20 PM

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sept 5:

Ahead of the two-day state visit of President Pranab Mukherjee scheduled on Friday, the commissionerate police has beefed up security measures in the state capital.

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Briefing newsmen here on Wednesday, police commissioner Dr RP Sharma said, a total of about 40 platoons (about 1200 personnel) of police force and 501 officers are likely to be assigned for security of the President in Bhubaneswar.

The security would be monitored by eight additional commissioners, four DCPs, one ACP and Inspectors and Sub Inspectors at several junctions along the routes of the President’s motorcade.

Sharma also informed that there will be mock security drills prior to the arrival of the President at the city.

Home department sources said 15 platoons of force and 50 officers would be deployed at Puri.

PTI adds :

While the convocation of IIT-Bhubaneswar will be held on the campus of Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology (IMMT) here, the BVB has chosen the campus of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) for its convocation.

“Police would take control over both the venues nearly 24 hours before the convocations start,” Commissioner of Police R K Sharma said.

According to official sources, Mukherjee is scheduled to reach Biju Patnaik Airport here at around 4.35 pm tomorrow. He is scheduled to stay at Raj Bhavan in Puri and leave for Bhubaneswar the day after offering prayers at Jagannath temple early in the morning.

Meanwhile, the state government has asked Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to keep all arrangements in place in order to ensure a hassle free visit of the President.

“This time we will ensure that only the required officers and priests remain near the President. All arrangements have been made to welcome him,” said temple’s chief administrator Arvind Padhee.

“The SJTA will present a Pattachitra of Kanchi Abhiyan to the President as memento. A holy flag will also be offered to the deities in the name of the President,” Padhee said.

As the President’s last visit witnessed a controversy over his family priests in the temple, the SJTA has sought the advice of the President whether he required a servitor to escort him in the temple.