Shimla cops on toes ahead of CM’s oath-taking ceremony, Christmas

BIGWIGS EXPECTED PM Modi, top BJP leaders likely to attend swearingin

SHIMLA: The oath-taking ceremony of the new chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, that is expected to be held before the New Year besides the year end celebrations , including those on Christmas, has kept the police department on its toes in the hill state.

Police have beefed up the security and districts have been issued necessary directions.

BJP can finalise the name of Himachal chief minister anytime and swearing-in is expected to take place before New Year. Chances of the ceremony coinciding with Christmas are also there.

However, the police have already swung into action and are preparing a plan anticipating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in the wake of oathtaking ceremony at The Ridge in Shimla. Police officers have also inspected the venue and are chalking out plans based on PM’s previous visit in April.

Besides this, cops have been making arrangements for the Christmas and New Year as tourist influx is expected to rise next week. In the swearing-in, top BJP leaders and workers are expected to arrive at Shimla in big numbers. Entire Ridge will be covered for the event preparation that may lead to inconvenience to the locals as well as tourists.

Director general of police (DGP) Somesh Goyal said, “We are prepared for any event. Be it Christmas, New Year or the oath-taking ceremony. Security has been beefed up in the wake of all these events.”

He added, “Districts have been issued necessary directions as well.”

Near the Christmas and New Year, tourists mainly throng Shimla and Manali.

Kullu superintendent of police Shalini Agnihotri said, “Special surveillance and raiding teams have been constituted and we are also keeping eye on the social media.”

She added, “Intelligence wings are already monitoring the activities. We have advised all tourists, restaurants and hotel owners to refrain from illegal activities, but we cannot stop parties. All we can do is pre- vent or burst rave parties.”

In Shimla, administration has thrown some roads open for parking, keeping the expected tourist rush in mind.

Those routes include Cart road in Shimla to SBI Chowk, IGMC to Lakkar Bazaar, Chalet Day to Chota Shimla, AG Chowk to Kennedy Chowk and Boileauganj, Chaura Maidan to Institute of Advance Studies and Sanjauli Chowk to the dental college (hill-side only).

Tara Hall and BCS school ground have been thrown open from Saturday till January 2.