The city will be under heavy security cover for one week. With the ‘Emerging Kerala’ investors’ meet beginning on Wednesday, thousands of delegates including foreign officials along with politicians and bureaucrats are expected to be in Kochi for some days.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will reach the city on Wednesday for a two-day visit. On Wednesday, he will inaugurate the investors’ meet at Le Meridien Convention Centre. On Thursday he will inaugurate the Metro Rail project at Marine Drive and the golden jubilee celebrations of KUWJ (Kerala Union of Working Journalists) at Fine Arts Hall. In view of the PM’s visit, additional police personnel have been deployed at different parts of the city.
The bomb detection squad and the dog squad have been given special instructions to carry out frequent checks. The police have already started carrying out surprise checks at public places including railway stations and bus stands. With increasing incidents of crimes involving migrant labourers, the police will focus on the activities of migrant labourers. Considering security issues, wayside eateries and other shops have already been removed from some parts of the city.
Apart from the Prime Minister, other political heavy weights including NCP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar along with Defence Minister A K Antony will be attending the investors’ meet. On Wednesday, the state Cabinet meeting will be held in Kochi in which the Prime Minister is also expected to attend.
About 10-member team from the Union Ministries along with 90 delegates from various top companies will be part of the three-day conference.
Foreign delegates from China, Canada, United Kingdom, Malaysia, the USA, Singapore, the UAE, Oman, Japan, Germany will be attending the meet. Besides there will be diplomats from various consulates, chambers and international funding agencies. Ensuring the safety and security of these foreign delegates is going to be another headache for the city police.