Tripura towns under tight security for Sonia's visit

Agartala, Feb 18 (UNI) Capital Agartala and the northern town of Dharmanagar were brought under tight security cover in view the visit of Congress High Command and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today.

''Traffic has been restricted at different points of the city but there is no serious threat perception so far,'' police officials said here.

According to them, special protection group (SPG) took charge of both the grounds three days ago where Mrs Gandhi is scheduled to address rallies for the February 23 Assembly polls.

''More than one company of Central Paramilitary Force have been deployed in outer circle cover followed by several other layers of security arrangements. The core area will be manned only by the SPG,'' the officials said.

Police Super of traffic Gourav Chakraborty said, ''No traffic will be allowed for three hours around the ground, when the rally will be held.'' The strength of traffic police had also been increased to manage the crowd, he added.

Three Union Ministers--Prithviraj Chavan, Santosh Mohan Dev and Priyaranjan Dasmunshi--were looking after all the arrangements while AICC secretary Sanjay Bapna was camping in Dharmanagar for the last three days to make the party chief's visit safe, secure and meaningful.

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