Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (file pic)
After last month's blasts in Patna ahead of
Narendra Modi's 'Hunkar Rally', state administrations are taking no chances in keeping the security top notch for the BJP's PM candidate. Mr Modi will visit Moga in Punjab next month and elaborate security arrangements are already being put in place.
The Akali Dal, which rules Punjab in alliance with Mr Modi's BJP, has decided to provide the Gujarat Chief Minister protection by its elite Special Protection Unit when he visits Moga to address an election rally.
The Punjab government's decision to step up Mr Modi's security comes after an alert issued by the Intelligence Bureau on another attack at the BJP leader's rally.
"We are not worried about Punjab. I can't say anything about other states," Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said.
Each unit of the Special Protection Unit, which was created after the Mumbai terror attacks, has two officers from the elite Special Protection Group, which guards the Prime Minister. Sharpshooters from the Special Protection Unit will also be designated to Mr Modi's inner security ring in Punjab.
Police personnel from eight districts will also be deployed at the rally ground including 22 officers of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police, 130 Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspector and 7000 jawans.
"The Special Protection Unit has different kinds of resources in terms of trained manpower, armoured vehicles and other equipment for anti-sabotage checks and measures," said Dinkar Gupta, ADGP, Security, Punjab Police.
Apart from the Special Protection Unit and regular police commandos, officials from the Punjab Armed Police and reserve battalions will also be deployed to guard the stage and VIP enclosures.
Though the Indian Mujahideen, which investigators allege was responsible for the blasts in Patna, has no presence in the state, terrorism has troubled Punjab in the past, and for Mr Modi, the security agencies are being put on the maximum alert.