Dehradun: Preparations have intensified for the assembly session commencing in Bhararisain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand, on Tuesday, October 27. During the session, the government will have to answer 445 questions posed by 31 MLAs inside the house, while outside, opposition parties including the Congress, the Pradesh Pradhan Sangh, and the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal have announced a gherao of the assembly. Consequently, the government faces the dual challenge of answering questions inside the house and dealing with protests outside.
In view of the assembly session, the police and district administration have beefed up security arrangements. Barricading has been set up on major routes to prevent protesters from reaching the assembly premises. Security forces have been deployed at sensitive locations including Dukmutasain, the assembly’s main entrance at Diwalikhal, Jangalchatti, the Parwari motor road, and the Sarkot motor road. A security perimeter has been established using barbed wire and sturdy iron gates at these points.
Security Command in Hands of 1,500 Personnel
According to Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar, the assembly constituency and Gairsain region have been divided into 5 super-zones and 13 sectors from a security perspective. Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police-rank officers have been deployed to oversee each zone and sector.
Approximately 1,500 police personnel have been deployed for security arrangements, including civil police, armed police, traffic management teams, Provincial Guard (PRD), Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), dog squads, bomb disposal squads, and other security agencies.
The Superintendent of Police stated that the assembly session is an important festival of democracy and ensuring it is conducted peacefully, smoothly, and securely is the priority of the police administration, while also ensuring minimal inconvenience to local residents and commuters.
31 MLAs Have Placed 445 Questions
Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan stated that necessary preparations are underway by the Assembly Secretariat for the smooth conduct of the session. She stated that efforts will be made to provide adequate opportunities for MLAs to present their views and raise public issues in the house. A total of 445 questions have been tabled by 31 MLAs for the session, which the concerned ministers must answer.
Changes in Entry Pass Rules
Regarding security arrangements during the session, the Assembly Speaker issued necessary directives. It has been decided that assembly staff will not be permitted to take their vehicles inside the premises without duly issued vehicle passes. Entry passes will be issued to only one person on the recommendation of MLAs and a maximum of two people on the recommendation of ministers.
Webcasting of House Proceedings
Video recording and web broadcasting of the assembly session’s proceedings will be carried out by the Information and Public Relations Department and the IT Development Agency, allowing the public of the state to watch the house proceedings. With questions from MLAs inside the house and the proposed assembly gherao outside during the session, all eyes remain on the preparations of the government and administration.
