Ahmedabad: 200 history-sheeters questioned ahead of rath yatra

Ahmedabad: Ahead of the annual rath yatra, the crime branch intensified preventive policing measures to ensure the procession passes off peacefully and without any untoward incident, crime branch officers said on Monday.According to a statement issued by the agency, officers interrogated 200 people with past records of violent offences or those considered potential troublemakers. Combing and search operations were also carried out in sensitive localities across the city. As part of the security arrangements, the crime branch deployed drone surveillance to monitor rooftops and vulnerable stretches along the yatra route to prevent any attempts to disrupt the procession.The agency also said it busted a gang, arresting five persons and seizing nine illegal weapons during the operation. Officers said the preventive measures were aimed at maintaining communal harmony, law and order, and ensuring the peaceful conduct of one of the largest religious processions in the city.