Security blanket thrown for Modi, Xi visit

Over 3,000 security personnel, including some from China, are part of the watertight security measures for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

Blaring sirens from speeding police vehicles, beacon topped cars and a huge contingent of security personnel, both uniformed and in civil dress, along with Chinese security personnel can be spotted on the roads leading to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport, Vastrapur lake, river front in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar as Modi and Xi visit Gujarat next week.

Informed sources told IANS that Ahmedabad police has sought the help of several Chinese interpreters as security men from China were facing a language hurdle.

Home department sources said: "More than 3,000 security personnel are being deployed all along the venues and routes, where the visiting leaders would be passing through."

Security has been beefed up at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital which is being readied for emergency measures as it prepares for the visit.

A source in the civil hospital said: "The hospital has been put on alert so that no untoward incidents happen. Authorities, medical staff, doctors, have been told to be prepared. Ambulances and medical equipment have been checked..."

The source added: "Special machines like mirror detectors that can look under vehicles, hand-held metal detector, door metal detector have been deployed at the hospital. Besides, people entering and exiting the hospital are being thoroughly checked."

Hospital Superintendent Prabhakar said: "Yes, we have employed some equipment as a security measure. Although, we have received no official intimation in this regard, we have beefed up security to avert any eventuality."

Gujarat police personnel visited Alpha One mall that shares the common wall with the hotel where Xi and his delegates are putting up, so that they can inspect the place, verify the staff and the security measures initiated by the mall, a source at the mall said.

Though the mall authority has not been categorically told to close down, but there are chances that the police may ask them to shut the mall either Sep 16 or 17.

"If we are asked to close down then we will have to do it," said the source.

The mall is one of the most visited mall in Ahmedabad where 30,000 people step-in during the week.

A mall executive said: "Police have checked the entire 3,000 staffers of the mall, their identity and their back ground too. We are ready to help police."