State govt officials demand Obama’s itinerary by Monday

Upset that no specific information on the itinerary of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the city next month is provided, the state government is likely to tell US officials that they will not be in a position to provide “proper security” during his stay. Senior police officials have taken strong objection to the inordinate delay on the part of the US, that has been discussing the security plan for Obama’s two-day visit with their city counterparts.

Upset that no specific information on the itinerary of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the city next month is provided, the state government is likely to tell US officials that they will not be in a position to provide “proper security” during his stay. Senior police officials have taken strong objection to the inordinate delay on the part of the US, that has been discussing the security plan for Obama’s two-day visit with their city counterparts.

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The US president is scheduled to visit several places in the city after landing here on November 6. But as the US officials had not provided them with details until Saturday, the state and police officials were worried about preparations.

They feel that mobilising security forces and planning subsequent measures will take more time.

“We will convey to US officials that they can take charge of the entire security if they are unable to give us information on the President’s plan by Monday,” said a senior government officer, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

“As of now we know that the Obamas will stay at the Taj. We don’t know about their travel from the airport to south Mumbai and the places they plan to visit,” the officer said.