Bihar: 2,000 police personnel with SWAT teams, QRTs to remain deployed in Patna for President’s visit

PATNA: Around 2,000 police personnel along with ATS-SWAT teams and STF-QRTs would remain deployed in Patna for three days to provide security cover to President Ram Nath Kovind who is arriving in the city to attend the Centenary celebration program of Bihar legislative assembly.
The President would arrive Patna from Delhi at around 1pm on Wednesday. He would attend the main programme of Centenary celebration of legislative assembly from 11am to 12noon on Thursday.
His program also includes visit to gurdwara at Patna Sahib. He would depart from Patna at around 11.50am on Friday.
As per higher authorities, assembly speaker and chief secretary themselves had held several rounds of meetings to work out on every minute aspect including security of President’s visit to make it smooth.
IG (central range) Sanjay Singh said that advance security liaison (ASL) meeting has already been held for president’s visit with SPG personnel.
“On Tuesday, we successfully completed real time dry run of convoy movement for President which will start from airport and go to other venues like Raj Bhawan, Centenary program spot, Khadi mall which are in his program schedule during the visit,” he said.
Singh said at least 1,500-1,600 constables and more than 300 to 400 officers and magistrates would remain deployed for security of President for his Patna visit.
IG said of the total deployment of around 2,000 personnel, which would be inside and around venues and roads, 1,000 have been allocated to Patna police by state police headquarters. He said hotels, bus stands and railway stations are being rigorously checked and monitored.
SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams of Anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) of Special Task Force (STF) would also remain deployed at vantage points and in stand-by mode for immediate reaction.
A senior IPS officer, preferring anonymity, said ATS’s SWAT deployment for VVIP movements in existing global scenarios is a mandatory practice.
“SWAT teams would not be involved in direct security arrangements for President. They would remain on stand-by and would be used as per requirement,” he said.
ADG (Operation) Sushil Mansingh Khopde said Patna police had asked for STF QRTs which have been provided for use as per their requirement. “The QRTs would be at disposal of authorities managing overall security,” he said.
ADG (headquarters) Jitendra Singh Gangwar said all due security arrangements at every program venue and routes for President as per blue-book rules have been made.
“All necessary security related equipment including vehicles have been provided as per necessity. Additional forces and senior police officers have been provided too,” he added.