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Foolproof security, cold hearts await Musharraf in Ajmer

Basharat Peer in Ajmer

The Rajasthan police has pooled in men from all over the state in order to ready itself for the Monday afternoon pilgrimage of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to the dargah of the 12th century Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer.

Policemen have been deployed in every lane and alleyway around the dargah to ensure foolproof security for the president. Commandos from the elite National Security Guards have been posted atop buildings surrounding the dargah.

Although the devotees would be allowed to pay homage to the saint till Sunday evening, the dargah has already been turned into a fortress.

"Around 50-60 policemen and Special Protection Group commandos have been posted inside the dargah for the last three-four days and approximately a thousand policemen are involved in the security arrangements," a senior Rajasthan police officer told rediff.com

Barricades have been erected in front of shops lining the Dargah Bazaar, which stretches for around a kilometre from the dargah main gate.

"Policemen have been deployed all along the route that Musharraf would take and no traffic or parking of vehicles would be allowed," the officer said.

Foolproof security and an enviable reception may be awaiting Musharraf, but the majority of the Dargah Bazaar shopkeepers do not want him around. Although the shopkeepers have been allowed to keep their shops open, most of them have decided to down the shutters.

"It is better to stay home and holiday with the family, as there won't be any customers on Monday," Naresh Motwani, a shopkeeper, says.

For many, downing the shutters is also a political statement.

Earlier, the association of shopkeepers had decided to wash the market with holy water from Haridwar after Musharraf leaves to protest against his role in the Kargil war and the "insult" of Prime Minister Vajpayee by some bigots in Pakistan, who washed the Minar-e-Pakistan after his visit during the Lahore Summit.

But the carrot and dagger policy of the police and the district administration made them revert the decision.

"Vajpayee has insulted the martyrs of Kargil by inviting Musharraf. We do not have a reason to be happy over his visit to the dargah. In fact, we cannot even protest. So the only option is to keep our shops closed in protest," Sunil Sablaani, a member of the Dargah Bazaar Traders Association, said.

To avoid any confrontation with the police or the administration, the president, secretary and other seniors members of the association have ostensibly gone for a picnic Sunday morning.

Radhakrishen, an octogenarian who has been running his shop in the market for around 50 years, says ,"We are not happy with Musharraf's visit. Pakistan is shaitaan khopdee. Why should we invite Musharraf and waste our money?"

Ask him what made them revert the decision to wash the market after Musharraf leaves, and he says, "We still want to do it, but we have to coexist with the police and the administration."

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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