Fool-proof security arrangements for PM's visit

Amritsar, Mar 23 (UNI) The Punjab Police has made elaborate security arrangement for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit this evening to flag off the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus from here tomorrow.

"We are making the security arrangements as per the 'Blue Book", Additional Director General of Police (ADGP-Intelligence) J P Birdi said at a press conference here today.

Dr Singh will also pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and the Durgiana Mandir tomorrow morning and later address a public gathering at Ranjit Avenue locality.

The Punjab Police alongwith the SPG have made tight security arrangements for the Prime Miniser's visit. The police will remain deployed in civilian clothes inside the Golden Temple and the Durgiana Mandir.

The venue of the rally has already been cordoned off by the police. The police has already intensified checking and patrolling in the city and its vicinity.

Mr Birdi will be overall in charge of the security arrangements.

The police has also cordoned off Circuit House where the Prime Minister will be staying for the night. He will be flagging off the Nankana Sahib bus from the rally venue instead of the International Bus Terminal which is located on the busy GT-road and is close to the general bus stand.

The cops have already conducted a thorough search of the 45-seater luxury Volvo coach which will make the historic 160-km trip to Nankana Sahib tomorrow. A security ring has been thrown around the International Bus Terminal where this coach is parked.

During his visit to the Golden Temple, Dr Singh will be presented with a 'Siropa' by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Avtar Singh outside the Golden Temple information office.

He will also be presented a 'Siropa' at the Durgiana Mandir.

After his visit to the Golden Temple, Dr Singht will hold a meeting with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh besides meeting various delegations. In his meeting with the Chief Minister, he is likely to take up the issue of the SEZ park which is to be set up at Amritsar. The SEZ park had generated a lot of controversy after local BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu accused Capt Singh of trying to shift the SEZ to Mohali and Patiala.

During his stay here, Dr Singh is not likely to meet his relatives at their residence in the city. On the contrary they are expected to call on him at the Circuit House.

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