Tight security in Mysuru ahead of PM visit

NT Correspondent
Mysuru

The city of Mysuru has been converted into a fortress in connection with two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the cultural capital of Karnataka. On Saturday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper conducted a reconaissance by landing on the sports ground opposite to the University of Mysore academic building.

The citizens passing on that road stopped for a while to take pictures. The venues of the PM's programme, Mysuru Palace, Maharaja Ground have been sealed and it would be closed for the general public for almost two days. The place where Modi would stay overnight had been taken over by the Special Protection Group (SPG); no others are permitted to stay in the same hotel till he leaves the city.

The Race Course Road on which the hotel is situated, is likely to be closed from Monday evening till Tuesday morning. The petty shops, street vendors and food joints on which the PM's convoy would pass through, have been vacated.

Senior police officers from Karnataka Police are camping in the city to supervise the security arrangements for the visiting VVIP. The police are issuing advisory for the citizens against travelling on certain roads in view of the PM's visit. Already, City Police Commissioner Dr Chandragupta has issued orders regarding the ban on parking of vehicles on both the sides of roads on which Modi would visit various places including Chamundi Hill and Suttur Mutt.

A large posse of police force has arrived here to assist the local police in the VVIP security. The devotees are likely to be restricted from visiting the Chamundi hill from 4 pm on Monday till 9 pm in view of Modi visiting Sri Chamundeshwari Temple to seek her blessings. On the way back, he would visit the Suttur Mutt to meet Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra swamiji, one of the most powerful seers of Karnataka.