PATNA: The state police headquarters on Monday sounded an alert in the wake of intelligence inputs apprehending terror or Maoist attacks on some senior politicians, including Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi and
Uttar Pradesh chief minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath, during election rallies in the state.
While the PM is scheduled to kick-start the election campaign for the first phase of the three-phased assembly polls on October 23, the UP CM will begin his campaign from Kaimur on Tuesday. Adityanath is likely to address two other rallies in
Rohtas and Arwal the same day.
According to sources in the state BJP office, the PM will address altogether 12 rallies in favour of the NDA candidates on October 23, October 28, November 1 and November 3. Adityanath, on the other hand, will campaign for six days and address 24 rallies in the districts close to Bihar-UP borders. His press adviser Mritunjay Kumar confirmed his schedule beginning Tuesday.
Additional director general of police (headquarters) Jitendra Kumar told mediapersons on Monday that IGs, DIGs and SPs had been asked to keep a watch on the people moving in a suspicious manner and take all preventive measures. “Any lapses on their part will not be tolerated,” he added.
The ADGP said the top officials of the state police were in touch with the agencies entrusted with the task of providing security to special category VIPs during the upcoming elections in the state.
The central as well as state intelligence agencies received inputs about possible Maoist or terror attacks on politicians during the election campaign. Seven additional IPS officers and 4 DSPs have been deployed in the districts where the PM’s rally is scheduled to be held. Besides, cops in civvies will keep a close watch on the people at the rallies.
Leaders of other political parties are also expected to visit the state during the election. “We are coordinating with the police officers of other states from where senior politicians are expected to come to
Bihar for campaigning,” said an IPS officer posted at the police headquarters.