Bhubaneswar: In view of Khalistani threat to disrupt Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here from Jan 8 to 10, a special tactical unit of Odisha police arrived here on Saturday.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to attend the event on two different dates. Close to 4,000 delegates (Odia diaspora representatives) from different countries will attend the three-day event. The special unit held a meeting with senior police officers regarding their deployment at strategic locations.
Police authorities said since the city will soak in festivities with multiple activities at different locations, including the main venue of Janata Maidan, tactical units need to keep a watch to thwart urban terrorism, unrest, and clashes. The elite combat unit is armed with advanced weaponry, sophisticated communication equipment, and specialised gear. “The personnel are highly trained to deal with any situation. They will be deployed at the airport (outside the terminal building) and at the venue,” said DCP Pinak Mishra.
Police officials said considering the kind of VVIP movement for three days, the service of the tactical unit is required irrespective of threats from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun sent an email to a local journalist in Bhubaneswar, referring to it as a “rror city”. He also indicated potential disruptions by his supporters and advised people to avoid the route between Bhubaneswar airport and Janata Maidan.
Similar threats were made by the Khalistani terrorist during last Dec’s DGP-IGP conference in Bhubaneswar, which was attended by the PM, national security advisor Ajit Doval, and Union home minister Amit Shah. “We will deploy 80 platoons of police force to keep an eye on all small and big events, manage traffic, control crowds, and look after law and order.