M A I N   N E W S

Sites on itinerary sanitised
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 13
While the security forces and the Delhi police were giving final touches to the security net thrown around the places on the itinerary of the visiting Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf, there was considerable disappointment among the residents of dargah Hazrat Nizammuddin as his visit to this holy place has been dropped for some inexplicable reason.

The Official Security forces who had been working round the clock for the past fortnight to secure the dargah located in the congested south Delhi locality were also disappointed. However, security officials said that they would continue to maintain vigil around the dargah just in case the visiting Head of State again changed his mind and decide to offer prayers there.

The Gaddi Nasheen ( chief controller of the dargah) who was supposed to escort the Pakistani President to the grave of the holy saint is also disappointed over the calling off of the visit.

Meanwhile, the other places on General Musharraf’s itinerary have been sanitised and sealed. The stringent security precautions and restrictions have been set into operation and will remain in force till after the visit. The locations include Raj Ghat, Neharwali Haweli in the congested walled city area and the Taj Palace hotel where the Pakistani President is scheduled to host a luncheon tomorrow.

Heavy deployment of security personnel and intelligence officials has already begun. The entry to all these places has been restricted. At the Taj Palace hotel, banquet hall has also been sanitised, menu finalised and the staff to be on duty tomorrow, vetted.

Mr R. S. Gupta, Special Commissioner of Police, Security said that while maintaining proper security, efforts would be made to minimise inconvenience to the public. Traffic will be stopped only on the roads on the route of the VIP motorcade.

Several ambulances will be stationed in and around the walled city area near the Neharwali Haveli to provide medical aid in case of any emergency to the residents since most of the roads would be closed and traffic suspended.

Mr Gupta said that police personnel on duty have been instructed to respond to any medical emergency call from the residents.