TN: Elaborate security made for PM, Sonia visit

Chennai, Sep 4: Elaborate security arrangements have been made at Erode, Chennai and Salem in view of visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC President Sonia Gandhi today and tomorrow.

Ms Gandhi would arrive this afternoon at Erode to address a public meeting, from where she would leave for Chennai for night stay.

At a function in the city tomorrow, she would be conferred with the Honorary Doctorate by the Madras University on the occasion of its sesquicentennial celebrations, along with Dr Manmohan Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Dr Singh, who would arrive here tomorrow morning at 1015 hrs to receive the Doctorate, would leave for Salem along with Ms Gandhi for launching the Salem Steel Plant expansion programme.

Both the dignitaries would leave for New Delhi from Salem after the function.

As a part of elaborate security arrangements made in all the three venues in view of their visit, metal detectors were installed and visitors would be allowed entry only after thorough frisking.

Meanwhile, a festive mood prevails in Erode, which has been recently elevated as Corporation, and in Salem, where Congress strongman and TNCC President K V Thangkabalu would accord a rousing reception to the VIPs.

Festoons and banners has been put up in all parts of Erode and Salem to welcome Ms Gandhi. Party cadres have geared up to accord a grand welcome to her.

UNI