2,000 cops, drones, sniffer dogs: All set for Modi's visit to Himachal's Mandi on Dec 27

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 25

Security has been beefed up in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh for PM Narendra Modi’s visit on December 27 for a rally to mark four years of the BJP govenrment in the state. A ground-breaking ceremony for investment MoUs worth thousands of crores is also to be held.

Around 2,000 police and Home Guard personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order and manage traffic. The rally venue—Paddal Ground—is already out of bounds for the common people with the Special Protection Group (which guards the PM) taking charge of its security.

Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri said Mandi town had been divided into 11 sectors for security purpose. “Drone cameras, sniffer dogs and CCTV cameras will be used for surveillance. Other than mobile phones, no electronic gadgets will be allowed inside the venue. There will be a ban on edible and drinking items,” she said.

The SP said BJP supporters coming from Sundernagar, Ner Chowk, Gagal, Rewalsar, Kotli and Talyahar will have to deboard near the Truck Union bypass and park their vehicles near the new bypass towards Sabzi Mandi. While returning, the supporters will have to board their respective vehicles from Pul Gharat. The vehicles coming from Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu-Manali, Balichowki, Seraj and Pandoh will be stopped at Bheuli Chowk and parked at Bindravani (same starting point during return). The vehicles from Chamba, Kangra, Jogindernagar, Padhar and Kataula will be stopped near New Victoria Bridge (also the pick-up point during return) and parked on the right side of the bridge along the Beas. The vehicles from Kotli via Sadyana, Bir-Lag and Bari-Gumanu will be stopped near Skodi Bridge Chowk (also the pick-up point during return) and parked at Talyahar, the SP added.