IMPHAL, Nov 29: With the confirmation of the official visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohon Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to the state capital on December 3, a team of 37 Special Protection Group (SPG) oficers led by DIG SS Chaturvedi arrived at Imphal this afternoon.
According to an official source, the SPG team assisted by the state police officials was taken directly to the City Convention Centre and MFDC Complex at Palace Compound and Capitol Complex at Chingmeirong soon after they arrived at Tulihal Airport at around 1 pm today.
The team conducted a joint security assessment at the three venues where Prime Minister Manmohon Singh will grace the inaugural functions on December 3.
The source further mentioned that that Prime Minister Dr Manmohon Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are likely to be accompanied by the Chief Justice of Supreme Court, SH Kapadia, union minister for commerce and industries, information and technology and human resource development, Kapil Sibal, union minister for law and justice and minority affairs, Salman Khursid, minister of state (independent charge) for DoNER, Pawan Singh Ghatowar.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the state planning department has also started repairing and painting of road medians, clearing of roadside garbage and repairing of street lamps at Imphal area.
Meanwhile, a massive search operation was conducted by a joint team of Imphal West district police commandos and City Police today at Thangal Bazaar area prior to the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Senior SP Imphal West, L. Kailun, and was led by ASP, Dr. S. Ibomcha this afternoon at around 2:30 pm.
Altogether 8 teams comprising of women police were deployed during the operation.
At least 24 individuals were picked up by the police team for further verification during the operation. Later they were reportedly released after verification.