Security Stepped up For Sonia's Meghalaya Visit

Shillong, Mar 3 : Tight security arrangements have been put in place ahead of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's visit to Meghalaya Friday.

A Special Protection Group (SPG) team has landed here in the city to oversee the security scenario, Meghalaya Director General of Police S. B. Kakati said.

Sonia, who is also the UPA chairperson, is visiting the state to inaugurate the much awaited North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), the first super-specialty hospital in the state.

The Congress president would also address a public meeting at Polo Ground here on the occasion of 125 years of the Congress' formation and visit Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture, claimed to be the largest museum in Asia.

Chief Minister D. D. Lapang said the entire state party unit is "delighted" that the party president is visiting the state.

Sonia's scheduled visit coincides with the state board exams and a proposed strike called by the employees of the Shillong Municipal Board for pay revision.

"The state police are trying to sort out all these issues and necessary steps have been taken to ensure that everything goes on smoothly," Kakati said.

Gandhi will fly to Aizawl, the state capital of Mizoram, March 6 (Saturday) where she will address a public meeting and lay the foundation stone of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.