Tight security for today’s bandh

With the communal atmosphere in Surat fully charged following the rape of a teenage schoolgirl by three Muslim youths, the Surat police are not taking any chances and have made tight security arrangements in the city in view of Monday’s bandh call by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

“The police teams will conduct continuous mobile patrolling on Monday in view of the bandh call. Six companies of State Reserve Police and 500 homeguards will be deployed in different areas of the city to maintain law & order,” newly appointed Surat police commissioner, Shivanand Jha, said.

This is in addition to the regular police personnel who will be posted across the city tomorrow.

As a precaution, six officers of deputy superintendent grade and eleven officers of police inspector grade from neighbouring districts have also been brought to Surat to keep an eye on the situation, ACP (Special Branch) BM Chauhan, said.

Officials said that the security arrangements will be tighter in the communally sensitive areas such as Athwa, Rander, Chowk, Salabatpura, Limbayat among others.

“We are ready to tackle any eventuality that may arise during the bandh tomorrow,” Jha asserted.