IMPHAL, Oct 30: There is still uncertainty over the visit of AICC president Sonia Gandhi to the state during first week of the November even though the state Congress led SPF ministry has extended official invitation to her for the inauguration of three historical market sheds at Khwairamband bazar which had been reconstructed under Prime Minister’s package.
The uncertainty has arisen on account of the failure of the state Home department to respond with updated report on primary security measures taken up in state capital in view of the proposed visit.
Rather than November 4 as earlier anticipated by the state government, it is now likely the visit would be postponed to November 9 or 10.
It may be recalled chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh made public announcement that the AICC president would be visiting the state to inaugurate the newly rebuilt historic market sheds at Khwairamband bazar which are nearing completion.
The chief minister had on several public functions announced that Sonia Gandhi would be inaugurating the three market sheds.
The official source further mentioned that the chief minister had already invited the AICC president to attend the inauguration function of the three markets buildings on November 4.
The source also further mentioned that the state Home department as per the official invitation to the AICC president, started its own security preparation during the first week of this month but failed to give timely reply the security measures it has taken up resulting in the date of visit of the AICC president becoming uncertain.
But last minute communication between the state government and MHA indicated that the AICC president Sonia Gandhi would probably visit the state on November 10 after considering her tight schedules on account of the ongoing Parliament session.
In view of the new dates for the visit as indicated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state Home department has initiated hectic security preparations in the state capital.
According to a highly placed official source, DGP Manipur in a recent security meet detailed substantial measures which to be taken up by the state government.
The report said he has advised for security rehearsal of 30 teams of state police commandos, 18 companies of IRBs/MRs, 1500 personnels of Home Guards and VDFs along will armed civil personnels.
The state DGP has made also made an official request to the state Home department for sanctioning the said strength of state forces for the taking up security measures.
The official source further mentioned that in order to further beef up the security measures the DGP has also requested for the requisitioning of necessity Central paramilitary forces.