Toy planes, helicopters can be used to target elections rallies: police
Ghaziabad: Uttar Pradesh Police has issued a specific alert of a possible air-borne attack targeting political rallies being organized ahead of Lok Sabha elections across the state.
According to sources, the alert, which has been sent to all districts of Uttar Pradesh, said that toy planes can be used to attack political leaders during rallies.
In the run up to the Lok Sabha elections, BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and other political parties have been organizing rallies across Uttar Pradesh. Many of these rallies are being addressed by the national leaders of the respective parties.
"We have got an alert stating that toy planes and helicopters, which are operated by remotes, can be used to attack political rallies, which are being organized ahead of the general elections," said a senior police officer, who wished not to be named.
The officer also said that terrorists can plan such air-borne attacks, targeting rallies and political leaders.
"We have been directed to check toy shops situated in all the districts. As per directions, we would ask owners of toy shops to ask customers to produce their identity card before selling toy planes and helicopters and keep record of such documents," the officer said.
The Officer also said that toy planes and helicopters, operated by remote, can easily be brought into rallies, where thousands of people go to hear their leaders and terrorists can use them for their target.
"Besides Ghaziabad, we are checking toy shops situated in Delhi and would intensify drive to monitor transportation of such toys at borders," he said.
He also said that air balloons, which have hydrogen gas, can also be used to target rallies of political leaders.
There are 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, state CM Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajnath Singh, Ajit Singh are among top leaders attending party rallies being organized across the state.
