Godhra security tightened
Once bitten twice shy is how the experience of Government Railway Police can be described.

The GRP along with other agencies have decided not to leave any loophole in the security system at all the railway stations on February 27, a year after S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was set on fire.

Railway protection force and the GRP have increased security at all the railway stations, said a railway official. In Godhra itself there would be as many as 200 personnel from GRP, RPF and state reserve police.

An official at Godhra railway station told The Asian Age that more than 80 GRP officials, three companies of SRP and about 50 RPF officials would remain present at the Godhra railway station on February 27.

Similarly in other railway stations across the state including Baroda, security has been tightened to avert any incident. GRP police inspector J.J. Rathod said, "We have utilised maximum force on February 27. Security has been beefed up for February 27 at platforms, vital installations and even yards. We do not want to take any chance."

District police and district administration have also make requisite security arrangements in Godhra town. Panchmahals SP Narsimha Komar said, "Except the functions which are permitted by the district police and district administration we would not allow anyone to take out rallies or do any such programmes. We would strictly follow the prohibitory orders."

In Baroda too, security was beefed up on the eve of Godhra carnage. "Except the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s shraddhanjali programme there would not be any programmes in the city. Police has also been deployed in all the sensitive areas of the city," said an official at police control room.

Republished from The Asian Age