Heavy security in Jammu city ahead of Modi's rally

Security arrangements were beefed up here as Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally Sunday.

Security forces had stopped all unauthorized movement in and around the venue of Modi's 'Lalkar Rally'-- M.A. Stadium, in the heart of Jammu city, two days ahead of the rally.

Teams of Gujarat Police detailed on Modi's security, while local police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out an advance security liaison drill at the stadium Saturday.

Contingents of CRPF and state police have been deployed in strength throughout Jammu and Kashmir, and authorities have also imposed traffic restrictions on many heavy-traffic roads as part of the security arrangements.

The army was seen assisting the civil administration to ensure fool-proof security as vehicles entering the city from Akhnoor, Nagrota and other outskirt areas were checked by army troops.

Modi is arriving here around 11 a.m. along with senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley.

This is Modi's first public rally in Jammu and Kashmir after he was declared the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

After addressing the rally, Modi is scheduled to fly back to Delhi Sunday afternoon.

Due to traffic restrictions, frequent frisking and checking at many places in the city, hundreds of candidates from the state and outside faced hardships reaching their test centres for railway board exams being held here Sunday.

Similar complaints were also made by milkmen who come to the city early morning to sell milk.

Devotees coming here for the Vaishnoo Devi Shrine pilgrimage too complained of hardships because of restrictions on movement in the city.