Date:03/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030311330400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Airspace in Hyderabad closed for President Bush's visit

Special Correspondent

Thick security blanket over city; protests staged all over the State

POSTER CAMPAIGN: A girl holds posters at the dharna staged by poets against the visit of US President George Bush in Hyderabad on Thursday. - Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

HYDERABAD: Amid unprecedented security for Friday's landmark visit of US President George W. Bush, the airspace over Hyderabad has been ordered to be sealed for civilian aircraft for about two hours.

All airlines have been advised to re-schedule their flights to avoid using the Begumpet airport in two spells coinciding with the landing of Air Force One at 9.50 a.m. from New Delhi and its departure at 2.05 p.m. While airport officials were unavailable to give the exact details, some airlines announced re-scheduling of the arrival and departure of their flights.

The Hyderabad airport was turned into a virtual fortress with a thick security blanket thrown all around it.

The area teamed with police pickets and patrol vehicles in areas as far as Bowenpally and Sanathnagar.

Some 150 bomb detection experts scoured the area around the airport while the ITC Grand Kakatiya & Towers where the US advance team is staying has been made almost out of bounds for others.

Meanwhile, protests by a cross-section ranging from Communist parties, Islamic organisations, students and writers were staged all over the State against President Bush's visit. The protest found its echo even in the Assembly where the CPI (M), the CPI and MIM stalled proceedings shouting slogans asking Mr. Bush to go back. This led to a long spell of adjournment of the House by the Speaker.

Although Mr. Bush will not travel by road anywhere, the police are taking no chances with the security in view of the bandh call given by various Muslim organisations and student bodies and possible unrest in the Old City in view of the gathering for Friday prayers.

YSR visits ANGRAU

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy visited Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and later had meeting with US Consul-General in Chennai David Hopper. Dr. Reddy has decided to skip the traditional reception at the airport and, instead, make himself available at the university where Mr. Bush will land by a Marine One helicopter.

He will also not be present at the Indian School of Business since the Government is not connected with the programme in which Mr. Bush will interact with 16 young entrepreneurs, including a student Anjali Patel.

President Bush's wife Laura has separate programmes at ANGRAU.