Foolproof security for Kalam in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 15 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has made foolproof security arrangements here in view of President A P J Abdul Kalam's visit tomorrow.

''As you all know, our President is facing threats from various quarters. We have to enforce strict access and control systems, to ensure foolproof security during the President's visit,'' Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) A S Rynjah told reporters here today.

He said even journalists have to strictly observe the security instructions.

Dr Kalam, who will be arriving here at 1030 hrs from Nagaland by a special Indian Air Force helicopter, will go to the Raj Bhawan and then proceed to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to address the 60-member House.

This will be the first time that India's first citizen will address the legislators in Meghalaya.

After addressing the legislators, Dr Kalam would proceed to the prestigious North Eastern Hills University to inaugurate the newly- constructed international convention hall. He will also interact with the university faculty and students.

Later, he will informally interact over lunch with state's lawmakers at the Raj Bhawan hosted by Governor M M Jacob. after meeting the mediapersons, he will leave from here in the afternoon for New Delhi via Guwahati.

Earlier in the day, police and security agencies carried out a mock security and traffic control drill on the city route through which the Presidential entourage will pass on his arrival at the Advance Landing Ground of the Air Force in upper Shillong, where the Eastern Air Command headquarters is located.

Meanwhile, the indefinite 'night curfew' sponsored by Hynniewtrep National Youth Front and supported by other four mass organisations in the state was called off today. However, the Garo Students' Union refused to put off their agitation and decided to go ahead with their protest in state's Garo Hills.

The 'night curfew' was called in protest against Congress President Sonia Gandhi's decision to reinstate former chief minister D D Lapang as leader of the state again last week.

Meanwhile, Speaker M M Danggo said passes will not be issued to public visitors into the Assembly tomorrow due to security reasons, adding there would be a live telecast of the programme from Shillong Doordarshan Kendra.

UNI