Mumbai:
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Mumbai for Rahul's visit.
"We have taken all precautions to ensure that the programmes of Rahul Gandhi pass off peacefully. Adequate number of policemen have been deployed at these places," City Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan said.
Stern action would be taken against those taking law into their hands, he said.
Police have been maintaining strict vigilance in and around the Bhaidas Hall in suburban Vile Parle and Ramabai Nagar slum colony in Ghatkopar, where Rahul's programmes were scheduled, and sniffer dogs have been put into service.
Rahul Gandhi will travel by chopper between locations in Mumbai. Fivehundred policemen will guard the one km stretch between the helibaseand his first venue.
Mumbai Police has also sent notices to ShivSena leaders across Mumbai, warning them against indulging in anyillegal activity on Friday.Thorough checking in these localities were conducted and frisking of suspicious persons would be done.
The security arrangements are the aftermath of comments made by Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday, at a press conference, "Rahul should not interfere in Marathi affairs...Rahul should stop all this or we won't allow him into Mumbai." But in an interview to NDTV's Barkha Dutt, Thackeray, on Thursday, clarified that for this trip, the Sena will not take any action against Gandhi, but he now stands warned for any future visits.
However, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday issued a diktat to his partymen to welcome Rahul Gandhi with black flags to protest his 'Mumbai for all Indians' remark.