Kolkata: Security beefed up ahead of planned protests on PM's arrival on 11 January

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kolkata as chief guest for grand sesquicentenary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust on 11 and 12 January 2020. 2-day visit will be his first after BJP came to power in Centre on May 2019.

Amidst massive news of protests by fringe groups, students and activists, Special Protection Group (SPG), tasked with protection of Prime Minister has taken over PM's route. PM Modi will take  ro inste of a helicopter to reach first venue from airport in evening. 

Apart from SPG, Kolkata Police has been barricing areas and routes through which PM Modi will travel to prevent any untoward incident. This comes after it was reported that PM’s convoy may run into protests with several social and student outfits planning agitation during his visit. Students plan to hold demonstrations with black flags and ‘go back’ slogans upon Modi’s arrival. 

Arrival amid protests

Multiple posters of agitation and black flag protests around places where PM Modi will visit were shared on social media. Although, political parties have openly backed any black flag protest or agitations against PM's arrival, BJP is of opinion that it is politically motivated.

Posters of 'gheroaing'  Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport on day of PM's arrival were viral on internet as well, following which entire stretch of airport joining area has seen a massive security beef up by Kolkata police. Local police have decided on a massive deployment outside goverr’s residence as students plan to protest around stretch outside Raj Bhavan where PM Modi is scheduled to stay on 11 January.

PM Modi's travel itinerary

Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive on11 January and leave following day after Port Trust programme. Apart from that, PM Modi shall visit herit buildings on Saturday, where he will dedicate to nation four refurbished herit buildings in city including old Currency Building, Belvedere House, Metcalfe House and Victoria Memorial Hall.

Ministry of Information & Cultural Affairs has revated se four iconic galleries and refurbished m with new exhibitions while curating old galleries. After a night stay at  Raj Bhawan, Prime Minister Modi  will also participate in celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust on Sunday. He will be handing over a cheque of 501 crore rupees towards final instalment to meet deficit of pension fund of retired and existing employees of Kolkata Port Trust. Following se events, PM will he back to Delhi on  afteron of 12 January.