- ‘Chowkidars’ will be in Full Gear for ‘Chowkidar’ PM Modi’s Visit to Mangaluru on Saturday – 1472 officials and cops will be deployed to ensure ‘Chowkidar’ (Security) cover. Thanks to the BJP’s latest social media campaign before elections, ‘Chowkidar’ has become the latest buzzword online, replacing last season’s favourite word ‘Chaiwala’?.
Mangaluru: In about 48 hours from now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an election rally in the city on April 13 at Nehru Maidan at 3.30 p.m, as part of campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. And that means all kinds of arrangements are in full swing, including elaborate ‘Chowkidar’ (Security) arrangements, where 1472 officials and cops will be deployed to ensure ‘Chowkidar’ cover. Among the 1472 officials and police personnel, will be five SP/DCP’s, 10 DySP/ACPs, 36 Inspectors, 67 Sub-Inspectors, 147 ASIs, 1207 Head Constables and Constables, who are assigned on duty to ensure PMs protection, as per Mangaluru City Police.
In addition, 92 home Guard Personnel, 5 KSRP platoons, 19 CAR platoons, and 2 CRPF teams will also be deployed on duty. Added to that, 4 Army Service Corps personnel, a bomb detection and disposal squad, 30 door frame metal detectors/30 hand-held metal detectors will be pressed into action to ensure “Chowkidar” for at Nehru Maidan, the programme venue, Mangaluru International airport, and throughout the “Chowkidar” PM Modi’s travel route. A total 34 sector mobiles and picketing points in 144 sensitive areas will be installed in addition to CCTV cameras, as per police, adding that inquiry against all suspects will also be undertaken.
Security will be beefed up at airport, railway stations, and at vantage locations in the city. Duty passes have been issued to workers who will be sitting by the stage, and for those involved in making seating arrangement at Nehru Maidan. A round-the-clock picketing point has been set up at the programme venue, and everyone entering the Nehru Maidan football ground will be frisked and their details will be registered, as per police.
Regarding vehicle parking for the event- vehicles arriving from Udupi via Mulky and Surathkal, Kateel-Bajpe-Kavoor and Kulur-Kottara-Chowki will drop passengers at Navabharath Circle (Near Hotel Ocean Pearl). Buses are to be parked at Karavali Utsav ground, Urwa Market ground, Lady Hill church ground and Gold Finch ground in Kulur, while cars are directed to be parked at Canara High School ground in Mannagudda.
Dropping point for vehicles arriving from Karkala, Moodbidri, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady, Bantwal and BC Road to Nanthoor is earmarked at Jyothi Circle (Dr Ambedkar Circle). Buses from these routes are to be parked at Bunts Hostel ground, Kadri ground at Mallikatta, Padua High School ground and St Agnes Special School ground. Four-wheelers are to be parked at Shanti Nilaya ground-Balmatta.
Buses from Ullal, Konaje, Deralakatte, Uppala, Kasargod, Thokkuttu, Pumpwell, Kankanady and Mangaladevi need to be parked at Emmekere ground and VamanNayak ground-Nandigudde, while four-wheelers must be parked at Morgans Gate ground. Few days ago, Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner SasikanthSenthil S. had held a meeting in connection with making security arrangements in view of his visit. The meeting discussed on the steps to be taken up at MangaluruInternational Airport and security measures to be taken on route to the venue, at the venue till the return of the Prime Minister.
The Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation had been appointed as the Nodal Officer for repairing the potholes on the roads and coordinating with officials and others concerned. DC had said that the party concerned will have to borne the cost incurred by the district administration for creating facilities. The party leaders were instructed not to violate the model code of conduct during the visit. Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil, Superintendent of Police Lakshmi Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat Selvamani R, Additional Deputy Commissioner Venkatachalapathi had attended the meeting.
