Security being tightened in Ajmer ahead of Pakistan PM's visit

A Pakistani security team arrived in Rajasthan's Ajmer town Friday, a day ahead of the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Prevez Ashraf to the  world famous shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty in Ajmer, over 140 km from here. 

A senior police officer told IANS that elaborate security arrangements were being made in consultation with the Pakistani security team.

"At least 1,000 policemen will be deputed in and around the shrine area for the security of Prime Minister Ashraf. The district administration has deputed 10 duty magistrates to oversee the security," the officer said.

The officer added that the shrine will be vacated minutes before the arrival of the Pakistan prime minister Saturday morning.

Four-layered security arrangements will be put in place from the helipad to the shrine, the officer added.

"There will be snipers on several rooftops in the shrine area and also at the windows of houses lining the main road leading to the shrine. Police will be deputed every fifty metres of the route the Pakistan prime minister will pass," the officer said. 

The administration has ordered closure of the shops situated in the area.

"The shops will remain closed until he leaves the shrine," the police officer said.

Ajmer divisional commissioner Kiran Soni Gupta also held a meeting of senior police and administration officials Friday and asked them to remain extra vigilant as some groups have planned protests during the visit.

The Ajmer Bar Association has demanded that the status of "state guest" given to the Pakistan prime minister be withdrawn.

"Asharf is welcome in Ajmer as a common devotee, but providing facilities and security will not be tolerated," said bar association president Rajesh Tandon.

He said the association had planned to show black flags to the Pakistan prime minister if his cavalcade passed the district and session court.