UP heightens security for high-profile poll rallies

A day after serial blasts during Narendra Modi's rally in Patna, Uttar Pradesh government today decided to beef up security for the proposed high-profile poll rallies of various VIPs in the state.
"After Patna blasts, an alert has been sounded, especially in districts where political rallies are lined up in the days to come," IG (Law and Order) R K Vishwakarma said.
"In all these rallies, including that of Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Mualayam Singh Yadav, it has been decided to deploy three to four SP-rank officers, besides 20 DySPs, 80 SIs, 300 constables, and PAC personnel," Vishwakarma said.

He said the district SPs have been asked to take control of the proposed venues 4-5 days ahead of the rallies to thwart any attempt to plant explosives, like IED, there.
While Mulayam is scheduled to address a rally in Azamgarh tomorrow, Rahul will be addressing rallies at Rath (Hamirpur) and Salempur (Deoria) on October 30, whereas Modi will address a rally in Bahraich on November 8.
Vishwakarma said the state ATS team is in touch with Bihar police and intelligence agencies as two of the suspects of yesterday's blasts -- Waqar Pakistani and Tahseen Akhtar -- are also wanted in the 2010 Sheetla Ghat blast in Varanasi.

These two suspects are still at large.