Gaya: The district administration in Gaya is making extensive preparations for the first proposed visit of Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary to the city on Friday, when he is due to attend the 2570th Buddha Purnima celebrations as chief guest.
The main ceremony will be held beneath the sacred Bodhi tree within the Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodh Gaya, a Unesco world heritage site and one of Buddhism’s holiest places.
At the same time, officials are facing pressure over a planned “Constitution Protection Grand Rally” announced by the Ambedkar Sangharsh Morcha from Gandhi Maidan in Gaya town. Both the chief minister’s programme and the proposed rally are understood to be scheduled for roughly the same time, creating a potential security flashpoint.
Authorities have moved to restrict activity at Gandhi Maidan, declaring the site a sensitive security zone rather than a venue for public assembly. District officials said no unauthorised gatherings would be permitted there on the day.
Anil Kumar Raman, the sub-divisional magistrate, said only pre-approved traditional events linked to Buddha Purnima would be allowed. “No new organisation, rally or programme has been granted permission at Gandhi Maidan,” he said.
Officials added that a helipad was being constructed at Gandhi maidan for the chief minister’s arrival, making any parallel political gathering an unacceptable security risk.
The scale of the operation underlines official concern. Around 350 magistrates and more than 1,500 police personnel are being deployed across Gaya district, with particular focus on Bodh Gaya, Gandhi Maidan and other key public locations.
Authorities have warned that participation in unauthorised events could amount to a breach of regulations and said the administration would not assume responsibility for security or civic arrangements at such gatherings.
Police have adopted an equally firm line. Saroj Kumar Shah, the town deputy superintendent of police, said organisers had been formally informed that no event would be permitted at Gandhi Maidan on Friday. Any attempt to stage a rally or public show of strength would be treated as a violation of official orders, he said.
Police also urged residents not to attend unauthorised gatherings under political pressure or emotional appeals.
