Baripada: The Mayurbhanj district administration has declared all venues associated with the upcoming visits of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rairangpur town as “no-drone zone” and “no-flying zone” areas as part of heightened security measures, officials said on Wednesday.
President Murmu is scheduled to arrive in Rairangpur, her native town in Mayurbhanj district, on June 19, while Prime Minister Modi is expected to reach the town on June 20. Both leaders will participate in programmes marking the second anniversary celebrations of the BJP government in Odisha.
In a letter to the Superintendent of Police, Mayurbhanj, the district collector directed that all places of visit, function sites and event venues be designated as no-drone and no-flying zones during the President’s visit.
“As a security measure, during the visit of the President, all the places of visit/function sites/venues are declared as no drone zone/no flying zone,” the order stated.
The collector also instructed authorities to install appropriate signage at all venues to strictly prohibit the use of drone cameras by media personnel and others in the vicinity of the VVIPs.
“This order should be treated as VVIP urgent, and appropriate action against the defaulters shall be taken,” the communication added.
Official sources said the Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) has also directed the Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police to ensure strict enforcement of the no-flying zone regulations and initiate action against violators.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has reviewed preparations for the high-profile visit and directed officials to ensure robust security arrangements, adequate facilities for the public attending the programme, and sufficient parking infrastructure.
The state administration has intensified preparations for the event, which will mark the first occasion on which the President and the Prime Minister will jointly attend a programme in Odisha.
According to officials, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi are also scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several development projects during their visit to Rairangpur.
