Security beefed up in Shimla ahead of President Kovind's 4-day visit

Over 1,500 soldiers including army, police, CID personnel will be stationed across the city.

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): President Ram Nath Kovind is on a four-day visit to the state and will address a special session of the Himachal assembly on Friday. Security has been tightened in Shimla for the president's visit and he will stay at Hotel Sicil, a private hotel, instead of Chaura Maidan as three of his staffers had tested positive for Covid. He will reach Annadale in Shimla in an army plane.

The President will reach the Assembly on September 17 at 11am and will participate in a special session of the Assembly from 11am to 12 noon. He will later visit the Raj Bhavan on the same day at 7pm, wherein culture programmes will be organised. On September 18, he will visit Yarrows and on September 19, will return to Delhi.

President Kovind's visit holds significance as a Special session of Vidhan Sabha is being organised on the completion of 50 years of full statehood of Himachal Pradesh. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar and Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri will be present on the stage along with the president during the special session in the Assembly.

As many as 93 former and sitting MLAs have been invited for the special session and the event will be held in the Council Chamber of the Assembly. It is noteworthy that earlier APJ Abdul Kalam had also addressed the special session of Himachal Vidhan Sabha.

A no-fly zone will be declared in Shimla during his visit. Apart from planes, there will be a ban on drone usage too. Over 1,500 soldiers including army, police, CID personnel will be stationed across the city.