With law enforcing agencies sealing the Indo-Nepal border touching Bahraich to ensure no entry of subversive forces takes place, the local administration has finally given approval to Narendra Modi’s ‘Vijay Shankhnad Rally’ but with certain conditions particularly related to security of the Gujarat Chief Minister.
Taking no chance after the serial blasts in Patna’s rally of Modi on October 27, District Magistrate of Bahraich Kinjal Singh said permission for the event has been granted on condition that the BJP will fulfil all requirements for it in time. “We can’t deny permission for a private event but there are serious lapses in arrangement. The Gujarat Police had written to UP that the helipad should be ready 48 hours before Modi arrives, but it is not ready yet. The BJP leaders have been asked to get the helipad prepared immediately and get it cleared by the security agencies.
The organisers of the rally have also been asked to extend the cordoned off area of the dais from four metres to seven metres. A seven-foot barricade around the stage to restrict access has not come up yet. The general arrangement is also very poor, the DM said.
The Gujarat Chief Minister along with BJP president Rajnath Singh besides several UP leaders including Yogi Adityanath and others will address the gathering around 2 pm on Friday. Taking a safer side, the State Government has now said the BJP must ensure that security at the rally in Bahraich meets the standards prescribed by the Gujarat CM’s own team. A team of about 12 Gujarat Police officials has already started making security-related suggestions to UP Police. Help of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which mans the Indo-Nepal border, has been taken while anti-sabotage team, anti-mines unit, bomb disposal and dog squads of the State have also been called in.
Besides, NSG commandos and jawans of Gujarat Police would be present at the rally venue and all the entry points would have metal detector doors and all the 15 blocks of the rally would be under surveillance of CCTV cameras.
All the people attending the rally would be frisked at the entry point. Sophisticated jammers, a bulletproof place on the stage for leaders to address the rally and bulletproof vehicles have also been arranged.
labourers, contractors and BJP leaders and workers overseeing the works of the rally venue would be allowed entry only after checking their identity cards. Managers of hotels, lodges and inns have been asked to promptly inform about any suspicious movement or people staying at their places. Indo-Nepal border has been also sealed 48-hours prior to rally and all the liquor shops in the district will remain closed on Friday.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and rally organiser Mukut Bihari Verma said that the party has completed all the formalities and met all the standards as per the directions of the administrative and police officials.