President and PM in town

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Feb 8 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar are in the city today.

This is for the first time that two dignitances holding highest office of the country are in the city on the same day.

The President arrived at Chikalthana airport here by noon. She was welcomed by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at the airport.

Ms Patil, accompanied by the Chief Minister, will had a brief halt for five to 10 minutes at the airport. Thereafter, she will proceed to Jalgaon via the city to attend a programme. The Chief Minister accompanied her.

Meanwhile, the Union Agriculture Minister arrived by a special aircraft at the airport here. He is likely to accompany the Prime Minister at Pravaranagar in the afternoon.

The Prime Minister will arrive here at 1450 hrs and will proceed to Pravaranagar of the district at 1455 hrs.

The police and the district administration have made elaborate arrangements from Chikalthana airport to Subhedari guest house.

Heavy police 'bandobast' (security) has been deployed in and around the airport also.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Nasik) Riteshkumar has been called especially for the 'bandobast'. He will be assisted by Deputy Commissioner of Police M B Tambe, two assistant police commissioners, five police inspectors, 15 PSIs and 200 constables who will be stationed at the airport.

Special Protection Group (SPG) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 'jawans' will provide security inside the airport.

The SGP and CISF officers arrived here couple of days in advance to make the security arrangements.

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