1000-men security deployed for Modi's rally in HP

Elaborate arrangements have made for BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally at Sujanpur on February 16, which is expected to witness over 2 lakh people despite concerns of inclement weather.
At least 1,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful conduct of the rally, and IGP, Mandi Zone, P L Thakur is personally taking care of the security arrangements at the rally venue, police officials said.
A team of senior officers of the Gujarat police, including an IGP and thirteen IPS officers, visited Sujanpur Tira and inspected the venue of the rally and other arrangements.
"We have chosen Sujanpur for the rally as this is the biggest ground in the state to accommodate the crowds on February 16," a BJP spokesman said, adding that it would be the biggest ever rally held in Himachal which would set the tone for Lok Sabha polls.

However, the inclement weather was keeping the rally organisers worried as the MeT office has predicted rains or snow tomorrow and cloudy weather on February 16.
The piercing cold wave conditions prevailing in the state has kept the BJP leaders worried even as they are making all out efforts to bring maximum people from all parts of the state for the rally.

BJP lost its prominence in Hamirpur after one its top leaders Rajinder Singh Rana revolted against the party and won the 2012 assembly polls as Independent from Sujanpur.
Rana is among the front-runners for Congress ticket from Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat challenging sitting MP, Anurag Thakur, son of former chief minister P K Dhumal.

By holding Modi's rally in Sujanpur, BJP is trying to demonstrate that it has not lost ground in the home district of Dhumal but Rana claimed that the BJP's move only exposed that it was feeling threatened even in its stronghold.
Meanwhile, Hamirpur SP, Veena Bharti said that all officials associated with the rally and mediapersons would be given passes and no one would be allowed to enter the venue without a valid entry pass.
Bags, mobiles, cigarettes and match boxes will also be not allowed inside the venue, the SP said.