PM to visit Meghalaya tomorrow, HNLC calls bandh 

Shillong, Feb 26: Security has been tightened in Meghalaya in view of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposed visit to the state tomorrow which coincides with a 12-hour bandh called by a rebel group. 

Singh will arrive in the Polo Grounds at 2 pm tomorrow to address an election rally in favour of party candidates for the coming Meghalaya election due on March 3. 

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu and LJP president and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will also address rallies here tomorrow. 

"We have arranged maximum security in the state, especially in Shillong, to foil any subversive activity by militants," a police spokesman said today. 

A four-tier security ring have been planned for Singh and top police officers held meetings with the SPG team yesterday to chalk out the security arrangements, he said. 

The BSF has sealed and increased vigil along Indo-Bangladesh border following the arrest of five Bangladeshi intruders near Dawki while attempting to enter Indian territory. 

The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has called for the bandh tomorrow to protest Singh's visit. 

"Such visits are nothing but a hollow gesture as the motive is just to befool and buy them. We oppose the Indian Political System which has trampled the traditional rights of the people," HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement. 

HNLC had also called a bandh on the day Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited the state, but the bandh call had failed to evoke any response. 

Meanwhile, in view of the visits of the high-profile leaders, the bandh call has prompted the security agencies to put in place maximum security bandobast in the state to foil any attempts by the rebel group or other elements to disturb the law and order.