Security Tightened for Clinton's Hyd Visit

United States President Bill Clinton's forthcoming visit here will not be affected in any way by last night's landmine blast which killed A. Madhava Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Panchayati Raj, police officials have claimed.

"Clinton is absolutely safe here. We are making foolproof arrangements to insure that his visit is secure and peaceful," S.R. Sukumara, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City, told IANS today.

Late on Tuesday, in what seemed to be a well-planned attack, suspected activists of the outlawed People's War Group detonated two powerful landmines at the newly-constructed railroad bridge in Ghatkesar, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, killing the minister, his chief security officer, S. Rambhupal Reddy, and driver Niranjan on the spot.

The blast occurred at 10.45 p.m. when the minister was returning to the city after campaigning for the municipal elections in Bhongir. The explosion apparently lifted his private vehicle, Toyota Qualis, high into the air before falling 20 feet below.

Reports said that the attack seemed to be well-planned as the earth was not freshly dug up to plant the mines, which may have been done during the construction of bridge itself. The police are trying to establish the method of detonation, a wire or remote means, but they found nine-volt batteries at the site of detonation, 60 feet away from the road.

The minister was reportedly under the naxals hit list. State Home Minister T. Devender Goud apparently informed H.J. Dora, Inspector General of Andhra Pradesh Police, that Madhava Reddy had not increased his security cover despite being told that he was a prime target during the civic poll campaigning, a news report said. Reddy was not travelling in a bullet-proof vehicle despite being a "marked" person in "Z" plus security category.

When asked about the threat perceived to Clinton's security in view of the blast not far away from the state capital, Sukumara claimed that the naxalites were not active in Hyderabad, but only in remote northern Telangana region, and thus do not pose any danger.

Sukumara also told IANS that the naxalites have a policy of attacking only "their class-enemies" and would not attack an honored foreign dignitary such as Clinton.

The police are taking all preventive measures to insure foolproof security during Clinton's visit, M.A. Basith, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), also reiterated.

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The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) will be using an American satellite for making preparations for the forthcoming visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton to this city later this month, a senior official has said.

"We will be using the satellite to assist us (in preparations for the visit). We have not begun using it so far, but it will be used at a later stage," MCH Commissioner P.K. Mohanty told IANS.

The satellite, IKONOS, had begun censoring Hyderabad on Jan. 24, collecting data and taking high-resolution pictures to enable the MCH keep a tab on the number of houses in various parts of the city.

MCH officials were to compare the data given by the satellite company with their own records and reach a correct conclusion on the tax compliance by the people in the 354 major and 3,500 smaller localities in the city.

Earlier reports had said the satellite would also censor the surrounding areas of Hyderabad for future planning of the Greater Metropolitan City of Hyderabad on the lines of the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Now the satellite may be used for development activity in and around Hyderabad ahead of Clinton's visit, MCH officials said.

Mohanty, who is among the panelists on two committees formed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to work on the visit, said the MCH's cleaning and beautification drive in the city is "all normal work," but has been expedited because of Clinton's visit.

MCH has been criticized by some sections of the public and media for working overtime just because of the visit. "Why does the administration wake up to the poor state of roads only when a foreign dignitary is visiting us? Does this not reflect a colonial mindset that Whites are more important than natives?" K. Venkat Swamy asked in a letter to the editor in a local newspaper. Dismissing such criticism, the commissioner said the development work was a continuous process and was begun long back.

"But, he's the most powerful person in the world. It (the visit) is a privilege for us." Mohanty told IANS.

R.P. Sisodia, Additional Commissioner, Health and Sanitation, MCH, similarly said the development work being carried out by MCH and other civic bodies during this time has to be "taken in a right perspective."

"This is a citizen's matter. It is also a question of image of the city. If a person comes from outside, he should get an impression that this city is well maintained. Moreover, the visit is very important. It'll open up a lot of avenues for investments in the state. Clinton visit has just expedited the work we were already doing. Ultimately it'll benefit the citizens, " Sisodia told IANS.

Some citizens agree. "It does not matter whether the city is being beautified for a dignitary's visit. What matters is that some development work long due is being done. All the repairing and beautification is welcome because what matters is the end product, not the means or the reasons behind it," V. Anand, working with a private sector company told IANS.

The MCH has taken up development work on a war-footing, repairing roads and recarpeting them wherever necessary, laying footpaths and painting them, putting up traffic signs and checking street lighting, planting flowering and ornamental trees in central medians and parks and beautifying the city.

It is coordinating with other civic agencies such as Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, APTransco, Metro Zone and even private telecom players such as Tata Telecom to finish the laying of electric and telecom cables, waterpipes, construction and repair of drainages, roads and footpaths and other basic infrastructure.

Many demolitions, though routine, also being continued. Illegal structures and encroachments in areas identified for a possible visit by Clinton, are being demolished. "We will continue this drive even after Clinton leaves," MCH Sisodia asserted.

The city police has also initiated several security-related measures. Police Commissioner S.R. Sukumara and other senior officials are conducting regular inspections of main thoroughfares in the city. The police have launched an intensive legal drive against people pasting objectionable posters and graffiti on walls. Roadside encroachments by vendors, eateries and STD booths are being cleared.

To check beggar menace, the Hyderabad police is seeking assistance of voluntary organizations to rehabilitate them. The "Bala Gandhis," or children who paint their bodies with silver color, dress up as Mahatma Gandhi, and seeks alms near the Tank Bund, are being sent back to their villages. An official spokesman of the Andhra Pradesh Police said foolproof security arrangements in case Clinton visits the city, even at a short notice.

"We have a strong force (just over 11,000 personnel), and if need be, we will be supported by reinforcements from districts. The City Guards wing of Hyderabad Police set up for VVIP security, will be put into action," he told IANS.

The police is maintaining a strong vigil in the city, keeping a record and track of all fundamentalist organizations, their leaders, he said. "Our main aim is to make Clinton's visit comfortable, secure and memorable," he added.