Patna, June 17: The city is being turned into a fortress to ward off any incidence of violence keeping in mind the BJP’s statewide bandh on Tuesday.

It is not clear whether the national party would celebrate or mourn the day — christened “Vishwasghat Divas (Day of Betrayal)” — at the end of their 17-year political bonhomie with the JD(U). However, the police and the district administration are leaving no stone unturned to secure the city.

“Security arrangement in the city is foolproof with an additional deployment of 1,000 personnel at all strategic locations to deal with any law and order problem during the bandh,” Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said.

“We will ensure that commuters do not face any trouble. Stress will be laid on police presence everywhere on the streets, especially the important roundabouts, airport and railway stations. We have also kept several four-wheelers and heavy vehicles ready to take away bandh supporters who court arrest. Some spots (temporary jails) have been chosen where they can be detained till sunset,” he said.

Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said the party would not target trains and small vehicles during the bandh. Emergency services, too, will not be affected, Modi assured.

East Central Railway chief public relations officer Amitabh Prabhakar said: “There are no special plans as such for tomorrow’s bandh. But during any kind of untoward situation, the officials have been instructed to ensure that passengers do not face hassles.

Once a train is stopped, other trains automatically get affected. We try and ensure that trains are stopped at places where passengers get regular supply of food and water at least. Until now, the railways have not come up with any helpline number regarding the bandh,” he said.

Despite the assurances from the administration, people are afraid to venture out unless absolute necessary. “This is no ordinary bandh. The BJP and the JD(U) have bitterly parted ways after a long time and the BJP is dejected and angry. It will surely create a lot of problems tomorrow. I will keep my shop closed to avoid any hassles or fury,” Awdhesh Kumar, a hardware shopkeeper, said.

Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee media in-charge Prem Chandra Mishra termed the BJP’s bandh call “ridiculous and unwarranted”. He explained it as the saffron party’s expression of frustration at having lost the ministry.

The last time the BJP called a bandh in the state was on May 31, 2012, to protest the Centre’s decision to raise fuel prices. But it was then part of the ruling NDA.

In a changed scenario, the BJP might show its prowess, translating into vandalism against government property.

The state police headquarters have sent an alert to all superintendents of police to monitor the situation carefully and videograph all events during the bandh.

A senior police officer said instructions have been given to record all the bandh processions and rallies on a video camera. “That’s a procedure which is followed all the time. The police will record processions and protest rallies to mark persons indulging in vandalism.

“We can take appropriate action against the troublemakers. Station house officers of all police stations have been directed to patrol their areas throughout the day so that commuters are not inconvenienced,” he said.

Most policemen will be stationed at important areas like the Dakbungalow roundabout, Income Tax roundabout, Exhibition Road, Patna City, Bailey Road, Boring Road roundabout, Hartali More among other sensitive areas.

“There will be adequate forces at the airport and the Station Road areas also. Vandalism will not be allowed under any circumstance and strict action will be initiated against those who indulge in the same. There are adequate number of women constables who will also be deputed along with their male counterparts. Water cannons and the anti-riot Vajra vehicles will be in place at the Dakbungalow roundabout, the epicentre of the bandh. In addition, policemen in civil clothes will patrol different areas,” he said.

Shoppers need not worry. The P&M Mall will remain open tomorrow, said mall authorities. Rajesh Kumar Dabloo of Mauryalok Shopkeepers’ Association said they too are open. “Unless bandh supporters indulge in vandalism and forcibly shut down the mall, business will go on as usual,” Dabloo said.