The State Home Department seems to have taken Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) warning pertaining to terror attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi extremely seriously. Apart from inclusion of moving halogen lights and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Gujarat Police has also taken several other measures in order to enhanced Modi’s security cover.
Sources in the State home department said that the decision was taken on war footing after Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied allotting Special Protection Group (SPG) cover to the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.
“We are extremely concerned over CM’s security, when he moves from one place to other. looking to the fact, we have decided to add technology and men power to his convoy in Gujarat as well as other states too,” said a senior official in the state home department.
Gujarat cops have added ‘Netra’, a GPS-based automated UAV fitted with infra-red cameras that provide a bird’s eye view in terms of surveillance. ‘Netra’ will be used for route surveillance at 300-metre height and move along with Modi’s convoy.
Gujarat Police have purchased two UAVs six months back and used successfully during Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad in July. It was also used in rescue operation during flood at Bharuch town. “UAVs developed indigenously by three IIT students were purchased at an approximate cost of `60 crore a piece,” said the official adding that once it takes off, the battery-powered device flies on auto pilot and has a speed of 30 kilometres per hour. “It is capable of sending real-time videos up to 5-km range. Its state-of-the-art ‘zoom-in’ facility helps to identify any sort of human activities from distance,” he said.
looking to Modi’s frequent travelling from Gandhingar to Ahmedabad, the cops have indentified certain patches as ‘black spot’. To counter such black spots, moving halogen lights have also been included as part of convoy. Besides, the police have also issued directives to install street lights on 11.8 km stretch from Shahpur Crossroads to Indira Bridge on Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad highway.
With a view to ensure better visibility on frequently used route right from CM’s residence orders have been given to concerned authorities to cut roadside bushes. The police have also started deploying men on the route at every 100 meters when CM’s convoy passes through certain routes. Moreover certain areas on convoy routes are declared as ‘No Parking’ zone.
In fact message was sent few days back within the police force as two cops deployed at Gandhinagar Secretariat gates were suspended for not searching vehicles carrying weapons. Hawkers and rickshaws drivers have also been asked to stay away at least 100 meters from CM residence complex and nearby circle.