Massive security bandobast ahead of PM Modi's visit to Tripura, Manipur

IMPHAL: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to both

Tripura

and Manipur, a 21-member special squad arrived in Agartala for a security dry run on Sunday while

Assam Rifles

(AR) personnel arrested a suspected insurgent at Kakching district's Umathel area on Saturday.

The PM will arrive in Imphal on Tuesday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of many development projects in Manipur. He will also address a public meeting likely to be held at Luwangpokpa cricket ground or Hatta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district. The state government has tightened security at various strategic places in the twin capital districts of Imphal East and Imphal West ahead of the PM's visit. On Sunday, police carried out house-to-house search operation and verification of people near Imphal airport in Imphal West and the Wangkhei area in Imphal East. No one was arrested in the drive, police sources said.

In Agartala, the Special Protection Guard (SPG) along with four bullet-proof vehicles reached the city for the drill Sunday on the VIP Road between MBB Airport and Swami Vivekananda stadium followed by a series of review meetings to make Modi's visit successful on Tuesday.

Sources said the Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at the airport from Imphal in a special flight around 1.25 pm and inspect the newly built modern terminal at MBB Airport for half an hour. Thereafter, he is scheduled to address a public rally in the Vivekananda stadium.

"The Prime Minister will formally launch the most ambitious Mission 100 (Vidya Jyoti schools) and

Mukhyamantri Tripura Gram Sammridhi Yojana

from the stadium along with Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The PM will leave the state at 3.10 pm for New Delhi," an official said. Considering the Covid-19 spike across the country, the state administration will take the highest level of precaution for public participation. Approximately 25,000 people will be allowed in the ground where Modi would address the rally, the sources said. The West Tripura district magistrate DP Bardhan said security arrangements are being made according to standard protocols. There will be multiple entrances, including one exclusively for VIP/VVIPs.