Security upped in Agra for Modi's Thursday rally

National Security Guard commandos, Special Task Force personnel from Gujarat and more than 1,000 UP policemen Wednesday turned the Kothi Meena Bazar ground here into a fortress.

Security was beefed up for Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's "Vijay Shankhnaad" rally Thursday.

While metal detectors were installed at the entrance gates, parking slots were earmarked several kilometres away from the venue.

"After the Patna bomb blasts (Oct 27), the district administration is not taking any chance and has beefed up security apparatus," an official told IANS.

"Watch towers, special slot for OB vans, a guarded press box, a huge stage and the ground decked up with hoardings and flags are in place. More than a lakh people should turn up," activist Shravan Kumar Singh said.

He said such arrangements were not seen even for the prime minister's rallies. Many schools have announced a holiday and people are being advised not to use the main roads to avoid traffic jams, another activist Naresh Paras told IANS.

State party leaders, including former chief minister Kalyan Singh, are already camping in Agra.

Meanwhile, Muslims are unhappy with the party's decision to honour two MLAs - Sangeet Singh Som and Suresh Rana - accused in the Muzaffarnagar riot cases. This will only add salt to our wounds in the aftermath of the communal clashes, Rahat Ali, a trader, said.

For Uttar Pradesh, Thursday promises to be full of fireworks with three rallies. While the Samajwadi Party will hold its rally in Bareilly, the Congress will be seen in action in Lucknow and the BJP in Agra.