President Murmu's Odisha visit: 40 platoons of police, 150 officers to be deployed for security
Bhubaneswar, August 2
Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been put in place for President Droupadi Murmu's official visit to Odisha from August 3 to 5, with around 40 platoons of police and nearly 150 officers to be deployed, a top police officer said.
The security measures include extensive deployment of police personnel, specialised units and plainclothes officers, along with traffic management arrangements across the locations the President is scheduled to visit.
Speaking about the security arrangements, Police Commissioner S Devadutta Singh said on Saturday that the President will attend programmes in areas under the jurisdiction of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police as well as at other locations across the state.
"The President will be on an official visit to Odisha from 3 to 5 August. During the visit, the President will attend programmes within the jurisdiction of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police, as well as at other locations across the state," Singh said.
He said comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure the President's safe movement during the visit.
"Comprehensive security, traffic management, and logistical arrangements have been made to ensure the President's safe movement. Around 40 platoons of police, nearly 150 officers, and specialised security units, including the Special Tactical Unit (STU), Special Technical Group (STG) and plainclothes personnel, will be deployed," the Police Commissioner said.
Meanwhile, President Murmu on Sunday flagged off the PBG Soldierathon at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, an initiative aimed at strengthening the bond between civilians and the Armed Forces. The run honours the military heritage and legacy of the President's Bodyguard (PBG)--which is celebrating 253 years of glorious service--while simultaneously commemorating 27 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Mizoram Governor General (Retd) VK Singh, patron of the initiative, was also present at the ceremony.
President Droupadi Murmu flagged off the PBG Soldierathon at a ceremony held at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of General (Retd) VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram, who is the patron of the initiative, Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X.
"The Soldierathon serves as a unique platform to strengthen the bond between civilians and the Armed Forces, guided by the vision of 'Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers.' Centred on the theme 'Supporting Real Heroes - the Armed Forces of India,' the event pays tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifice of our soldiers while encouraging citizens to express their solidarity with them through active participation," it said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
40 platoons and 150 officers for a 3-day visit – that's quite a deployment. I'm glad they're taking security seriously, especially with all the events happening. But I also hope the traffic disruptions are minimized for regular commuters in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. It can be a bit of a hassle sometimes, but I guess it's necessary for VVIP visits.
The PBG Soldierathon sounds like a wonderful initiative. It's important to honor our armed forces, and having the President flag it off adds to its significance. The theme 'Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers' is inspiring. I wish more people would participate in such events to show their support for our soldiers. 🇮🇳
It's interesting to see the scale of security for a presidential visit in India. I suppose with the current security environment, such measures are necessary. The coordination between the Commissionerate Police and other units seems well-organized. I just hope the visit proceeds smoothly without any untoward incidents.
I appreciate the effort put into securing the President's visit, but I sometimes feel that such heavy security disrupts the lives of ordinary citizens. The roadblocks and diversions can be inconvenient. Nevertheless, safety comes first, and our President's security is paramount. Hope the visit is a grand success! 🙏
The Soldierathon event feels like a great way to connect civilians with the armed forces. It's not every day we see such initiatives. The 253 years of the President's Bodyguard is remarkable history. I wish the runners all the best and hope this becomes
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