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As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is all set to enter Punjab, the police here making special arrangements to ensure his padyatra passes through the state smoothly in eight days.
Sukhchain Gill, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said a special squad has been formed with an ADGP rank officer in-charge and an AIG rank officer who would be on duty throughout the yatra. Speaking to India Today , Gill said ” Special security arrangements have been made for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. ADGP S S Srivastava is the supervising officer. The Inspector General of Police and the senior superintendents of police in all districts have been given instructions to ensure the safety and security of Rahul Gandhi.”
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Though the IGP did not declare the number of police personnel deployed for the Wayanad Congress MP’s security, India Today has learnt that there will be at least 150 personnel of the Punjab Police in close proximity of Rahul Gandhi to ensure his safety.
Traffic police have also identified various choke points and asked district police to make arrangements to streamline traffic so that Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra can pass smoothly through the state.
The Punjab Police have collaborated with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which provides Z+ category security. There have been threats from group such as the Sikh for Justice (SFJ), which had announced a reward of $100,000 to Stop Rahul Gandhi from entering Punjab. In a video message, the outfit cautioned Rahul Gandhi about possible violent confrontation in Punjab.
The Punjab Police had sent teams to both Rajasthan and Haryana to see security arrangements made by other state police.
Last month, Congress leader K C Venugopal had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about security breaches in the Bharat Jodo Yatra when Rahul Gandhi entered the national capital.
Venugopal had alleged that the yatra’s security was compromised on multiple occasions and the Delhi Police completely failed to control the surging crowds and maintain a perimeter around Rahul Gandhi. “The situation was so severe that Congress workers and yatris walking with Rahul Gandhi had to form a security perimeter. At the same time, Delhi Police remained a mute spectator,” he had said.
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With Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra drawing to a close with its culmination in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress leader’s security has been a point of concern as it is set to enter the Valley where Pakistani-backed outfits have often carried out terror attacks.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Punjab through the Shambhu border on January 10 and will head to Fatehgarh Sahib, as per Punjab Congress leaders. There will be a one day break on January 13, when the states celebrates the festival of Lohri. The yatra will conclude on January 19 in Pathankot. Rahul Gandhi is expected to be in Jammu and Kashmir around Republic Day.
