India
New year revelry is round the corner, as is the mammoth Vibrant Gujarat summit. And taking these two into consideration, not to mention the recent terror threats, Gandhinagar has virtually been turned into a fortress.
Updated : Dec 29, 2010, 05:59 PM IST
New year revelry is round the corner, as is the mammoth Vibrant Gujarat summit. And taking these two into consideration, not to mention the recent terror threats, Gandhinagar has virtually been turned into a fortress.
Nearly 500 cops are on their toes, to prevent any untoward happenings in the region.
All roads leading to the capital have been put under strict vigil by the state's cops. There are ten police checking points in Gandhinagar, and a group of policemen has been deployed at each spot, to ensure that each and every vehicle passing through the city is checked.
Similarly, various routes for trucks and other vehicles carrying goods have also been diverted by the cops.
"We have tightened security at all the ten police checking points in Gandhinagar, and have cordoned off sensitive areas with a significant number of policemen. We are checking most vehicles, both four-wheelers as well as two-wheelers, that pass through the area under our jurisdiction," said Piyush Patel, district superintendent of police (DSP), Gandhinagar.
Apart from the regular police checking points, 250 cops have been deployed at the secretariat office, 80 policemen have been assigned for Akshardham temple's security and 150 cops have been deployed to protect the Vibrant Gujarat summit.
Further, there will be over 100 private security guards at the summit.
Patel said that the private guards will be directed by the police to be vigilant and to keep a lookout for suspicious elements during the summit.
Commenting on the arrangements made to tackle booze parties and nuisance during New Year revelry, Patel said that such celebrations aren't all that big a headache for the police.
It isn't just Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar that will have enhanced security. The state police have also geared up to fortify other vital installations and temples. Besides Akshardham, the Somnath temple too has seen additional forces being deployed for fortification.
Sources said that other important temples have also been provided special forces.