Security for Kalam's visit tightened

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http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/18/stories/2005121808020300.htm

 

Security for Kalam's visit tightened

 

Staff Reporter

 

Parumala set to receive him

 

 

KOLLAM: In view of the visit of President A.P.J. Abdul

Kalam to Amritapuri on Sunday, Kollam district has

been brought under a tight security cordon.

 

A top police official told The Hindu that the security

aspects for the President is being implemented under

the Blue Book security fool proof system of the Union

Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

More than 600 policemen pooled from different wings of

the State police are on security duty since Friday at

Amritapuri and along the road route through which the

President will travel in the district. The trial run

and rehearsal in connection with the VVIP's visit was

completed on Friday.

 

Apart from the State police, 150 personnel of the

National Security Guard reached Amritapuri two days

ago.

 

They were airlifted from Delhi by an IL-76 flight to

Kochi and from there to Amritapuri for the purpose.

Personnel from the Intelligence Bureau, the Research

and Analyses Wing and the Special Protection Group

also landed at Amritapuri.

 

The police directed all hotels in the district to

provide details of the guests staying in the rooms.

Visitors from other States and abroad in the district

are being screened. Random vehicle checks by the

police began both at entry points into the district

and along selected road routes. The police sources

said that security would be tightened further in the

district on Sunday.

 

Parumala visit

 

 

Staff Reporter writes from Pathanamthitta: The small

village of Parumala is all set to receive the

President at the St. Gregorios Cardio-Vascular Centre

(SGCVC) on Sunday.

 

The helicopter carrying the President is expected to

land at the helipad prepared at the Devaswom Board

Pampa College grounds at around 12 noon.

 

The President will plant a peepal sapling on the

college grounds, before proceeding to the

Cardio-Vascular Centre.

 

He will inaugurate the International Paediatric

Cardiac Services at the SGCVC.

 

The SGCVC was attached to the Frontier Lifeline

founded by renowned cardiac surgeon K.M. Cherian.

 

Saji Philip, paediatric cardiologist at the centre,

said that Dr. Cherian's mission was to facilitate

modern cardiac care facility to the small village of

Parumala, conceiving the spirit of Mr. Kalam's vision

to provide urban facilities to rural areas.

 

Dr. Cherian will welcome the dignitaries and Chief

Minister Oommen Chandy will preside over the inaugural

function. Catholicos Baseleus Mar Thoma Didymos-I will

give away the benedictory message and Finance Minister

Vakkom Purushothaman will deliver the keynote address.