Security beefed up in Shillong ahead of PM's visit

Shillong, Jan 2 (IANS) Security was beefed up in Meghalaya's state capital Shillong ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the city to inauguarate the Indian Science Congress here Saturday.

The prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the 96th Indian Science Congress at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).

The NEHU campus has turned into a fortress with security personnel taking over and bomb squads and sniffer dogs pressed into service. Top police officials, including Special Protection Group officials, reviewed the security following Thursday's blast in the neighbouring state of Assam.

'We are also keeping a strict vigil throughout the state in the wake of a string of blasts in Assam,' Meghalaya Director General of Police Kulbir Krishen said.

All security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident during the visit. 'We have set up barricades along the national highways, connecting Guwahati and Meghalaya and our police are searching all vehicles,' the police official said.