Security beefed up for Sonia's visit to Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, April 27: Malda district administration h-as stepped up the security for Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s visit, which is scheduled to be held in Malda district tomorrow. According to the ins-truction by Mrs Gan-dhi’s special protection group (SPG), the Malda adm-inistration has beefed up police security at Sujapur under Kaliachak police station where Mrs Gandhi would address a political rally. Security has also been beefed up at Kotwali including the residence of late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury in English Bazaar where the Congress chief would meet the kin of former Malda MP and Union minister and would pay homage to his grave. According to Malda district magistrate, Mrs Gandhi would arrive in a helicopter to Behrampore in Murshidabad and after addressing a rally in Behram-pore would proceed towards Sujapur in Malda between 11 am to 11.30 am on Monday. Mrs Gandhi is also scheduled to visit the Kotwali area.Two heliports have been constructed with proper security arrangements following instructions by the SPG. Mrs Gandhi would visit late Ghani Khan’s residence through this route.On the other hand, the National Highway 34 from Sujapur to English Bazaar town and other connecting roads up to the residence of late Ghani Khan are being repaired as an alternative arrangement if she desires to go there by road for political campaigning. According to the police, traffic may be suspended on the National Highway 34 at Sujapur during the Congress chief’s rally at Hatimari field, which is just beside the NH 34, where she would address a political rally. In order to avoid any untoward incident traffic may be suspended for few minutes from her arrival to departure. Top police officials including IG north Bengal would be present during her visit to supervise the security arrangements at the two places.