Imphal, November 09 2010: Sleuth of elite Special Protection Group (SPG) started inspection at places in Imphal and Churachandpur with only three days left to go to the scheduled visit of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi to Imphal.

Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to visit the state on November 12.However, the schedule is yet to be confirmed.

It is likely to be confirmed after a high level meeting reviews security arrangements taken up in the state and to furnish a detailed report to the Centre.

State government has already started taking up security arrangements and rejuvenation of Imphal city to welcome the visiting chairperson of the ruling UPA at the Centre.

Sleuths of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) led by DIG, Pankaj Kumar and AIG Sudhir Verma arrived in Imphal yesterday and today to carry out advance security liaisons at Imphal and Churachandpur respectively in connection with her visit to the state.

The DIG along with 19 SPG officers including one Special Security Officer (SSO), one Technician, one escort vehicle and one BR lectern deputed to cover Sonia's visit reportedly arrived today at Imphal airport by a special flight.

Yesterday, AIGs HS Singh along with Sudhir Verma arrived in Imphal from New Delhi by Jetlite S2 363 in the afternoon.

A source of the intelligence said that HS Singh will be in-charge of security arrangements in Imphal while Sudhir Verma will be for Churachandpur.

Verma had already proceeded to Churachandpur yesterday for advanced security liaisons and inspections.

Other equipments required for the security protection of the visiting VVIP will be arriving tomorrow.

Necessary security/protective arrangements including anti-sabotage checks will be taken up by the officials in coordination with the state police department as per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

SP (Security) has been deputed to coordinate with the sleuths of the SPG and to provide all required manpower to them, sources said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh held a meeting with top officials of the state government including DGP, Y Joykumar, Imphal West SP and others to review, law and order and security measures taken up for the scheduled visit of the Congress supremo.

Another meeting under the chair of chief secretary, DS Poonia is scheduled to be hold tomorrow at the office chamber of the chief secretary.

The meeting will be attnded by General Manager Sudhir Kumar Sudha of Airport Authority of India, Manipur DGP, Imphal west senior SP, Churachandpur SP, Imphal east SP, administrative commissioners and Chief Engineer of IFCD amongst others, and will take place at 11 am.

The meeting will review a preparation for the visit of the Sonia to the state and a final report will be furnished to the Centre through MHA forthright.

Sources said that after MHA reviews the report furnished from the state, a final decision for Sonia's visit is likely to be taken.

Meanwhile, even though Manipur government has booked a helicopter for air lifting Sonia Gandhi from the Regional Office of the Indian Air Force at Shillong, till today no intimation confirming the requisition has been received, the source said.

Chief secretary DS Poonia, who was on leave for Diwali, has arrived at Imphal and joined for duty.

Governor, Gurbachand Jagat who is also out of station in New Delhi will be arriving tomorrow.

On the other hand, Work minister K Ranjit is personally supervising the preparation work for inauguration of the multi-storey women's market, IFCD minister N Biren is leaving for Churachandpur tomorrow to supervise the preparation work at the Khuga Dam site.

State police department has also instructed district SPs of Imphal east, Imphal west, Thoubal and Bishnupur to intensify counter insurgency operations in their respective districts ahead of the visit of the UPA chairperson apparently to check intrusions by underground activists.

Imphal west district police commandos started conducting mopping up operations in Imphal bazar areas as part of a security measure.

They conducted operations Paona Bazar starting from noon to 1 pm.

Around 300 people of ages ranging from 18 to 40 were detained at Mapal Kangjeibung maning parking lot and conducted one by one verifications.

A total of 32 persons were detained for further verification but were released after further verification at Imphal west district police headquarters at around 5 pm, official sources said.

Sonia Gandhi is arriving on November 12 to inaugurate some completed projects, like the multi-storey women's market-sheds at the erstwhile Khwairamband women's market, Tribal Market at New Chekon in the heart of Imphal and Khuga multi-purpose project in Churachandpur district, etc.

She will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of a regional campus of the Indira Gandhi Tribal University at Makhan village in Senapati district.

However, she will lay the foundation at Kangla instead at the campus site with reasons best known to the government only.

Detail regarding her visit has not yet been intimated till today but sources said that she will also address a public meeting to be organised by the MPCC in connection with the 125th year celebrations of the foundation of the Indian National Congress.

Sonia Gandhi would address the public meeting on that day, MPCC sources said.

The party is also expecting a crowd of 25,000 people at the public meeting to be organised at Mapal Kangjeibung, in the heart of Imphal city.

Comment