Unprecedented security arrangements were made along the entire route between the Naveen Nivas (residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik) and the State Secretariat for a smooth passage of Patnaik’s convoy in view of the bandh called by the Congress. The entire route from the Naveen Nivas to AG Square was sealed with armed police personnel under the direct supervision of Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma guarding all entry points to the roads.The police were clearly in no mood to take any chance in Patnaik’s security in the backdrop of eggs hurled at Patnaik’s carcade a few months back by Congress youth leaders near the Keshari Talkies.
Patnaik came to the Secretariat for about 45 minutes. The CM, who usually arrives at the Secretariat at around 11 am daily, came amid tight security at 12.30 pm on Friday, only after a large number of senior Congress leaders, including PCC president Prasad Harichandn,Unprecedented security for Chief Minister were arrested while demonstrating near AG Square and in front of the Jayadev Bhavan. He had to enter the premises through Gate No 5 on the backside amid tight security.Patnaik left the Secretariat at 1.15 pm, also amid the same high security.
Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi personally participated in the carcade of the Chief Minister while an extra platoon of security forces was added to the CM’s convoy.Sources said while as many as 15 Ministers came to the Secretariat by motorcycles, two Ministers, Debi Prasad Mishra and Badrinarayan Patra, managed to reach the Secretariat by cars.However, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick could not enter the Secretariat as security personnel could not recognise him. Mallick had come by a bike. The security personnel were allowing vehicles and employees into the Secretariat after thoroughly checking their identities.