Prez Murmu’s Odisha Visit: Commissionerate Police Makes Elaborate Security Arrangements

Bhubaneswar: Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in view of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Odisha on February 10 and 11.

During her two-day visit, the President is scheduled to attend two programmes in Bhubaneswar and one event in Cuttack. She is also slated to visit Lingaraj Temple in the state capital to offer prayers on February 11 morning, Commissioner of Police Saumendra Priyadarshi said on Monday.

In view of Murmu’s forthcoming visit, a coordination meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra and attended by the heads of all related departments was held. Security measures for her visit were also discussed at length at the meeting, he said.

Stressing that all the security arrangements will be made strictly abiding by the rule book, Priyadarshi said tight security measures will be ensured right from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the venues of the President’s programmes and Raj Bhavan.

While the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel will look after the security at the airport during Murmu’s arrival and departure, elaborate arrangements will be in place along the routes to be taken by the President, he said.

A full dress rehearsal will also be conducted ahead of Murmu’s visit, said sources.

On how many platoons of police force will be deployed during President Murmu’s visit, the police Commissioner said it is being worked out taking into account various requirements. Senior officials will be given the responsibility to look after the security arrangements.

In Bhubaneswar, the President is scheduled to attend the convocation of Rama Devi Women’s University and another programme at Utkal Mandap on the first day of her visit on February 10. Tight security arrangements will be in place at both the venues and routes to the venues, he said.

Murmu completed her graduation in Arts from the institute in 1979. She was conferred with an honorary degree on its first convocation after being upgraded to a full-fledged university. She will be the chief guest at 2nd convocation of the university.

The following day, the President will visit Lingaraj temple in the city in the morning and inaugurate the 2nd Indian Rice Congress at ICAR, Cuttack.