SSB no to its ground as Modi rally venue

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the border guarding force between India and Nepal, has denied permission to BJP for holding a public rally of the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at its ground here.
The SSB ground, which houses its recruitment centre, was shortlisted by BJP MP Yogi Adityanath for the rally scheduled on January 23 after he took a round of his Gorakhpur Parliamentary constituency for suitable venues.
The area, located about 12 km north from Gorakhpur town in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, has a good connectivity by road and rail, and is jointly held by SSB and Fertiliser Corporation of India Limited. It is about 270 km from Lucknow.

The Deputy Inspector General of SSB declined entry of BJP workers to the ground after which the Yogi approached the area's District Magistrate seeking permission for the same, SSB sources said today.
The District Magistrate sought the views of the SSB for the rally and was told that permission cannot be given.
The DM was told that the ground was under the control of the Central Government and more importantly it housed armoury and other important items vital for national security, he sources said.
The district has a close proximity with Nepal and it falls on the route for militants to enter India after infiltrating through Nepal.