Bhopal is currently under heightened security as it prepares to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 31st. The city is taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of the Prime Minister, including the declaration of a no-fly zone around the event venue and, notably, entrusting the primary security responsibilities to a team of dedicated women police officers.
The Special Protection Group (SPG), the elite force responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has taken direct charge of arrangements. In a significant move to bolster security, a five-kilometre radius around Jamboree Maidan, where PM Modi is set to address a “Mahila Maha Sammelan” (Women’s Grand Conference), has been designated a no-fly zone. This restriction, effective from 6 am to 4 pm on May 31st, prohibits all forms of aerial objects, including drones, paragliders, and hot air balloons. Authorities have warned of strict legal action, including penalties under Section 223 of the BNS, against any violations.
What truly sets these security arrangements apart is the prominent role given to women police officers. The entire security detail for the event, which is being organized to mark the 300th birth anniversary of the revered Maratha queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, will be handled by women personnel. This initiative not only underscores the theme of women’s empowerment central to the conference but also showcases the increasing capabilities and leadership of women in India’s security forces.
Senior IPS officer Sonali Mishra will be overseeing this multi-layered security network. Reports indicate that out of 90 senior security officials deployed, 47 are women, including four Superintendents of Police (SPs) and eleven Additional SPs. Women personnel will be in charge of crucial aspects such as command posts, monitoring rooms, convoy security, and even the helipad within the event premises.
An impressive contingent of over 1,500 women commandos and 3,000 additional personnel have been deployed to secure the Jamboree Maidan, with meticulous planning for traffic and crowd control to ensure minimal disruption. Furthermore, more than 620 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are actively involved in organizing the event’s logistics, including food, transport, and stage management.
The “Mahila Maha Sammelan” is expected to draw over two lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from across Madhya Pradesh. The state BJP unit is also deploying an additional 3,000 women workers to assist the security personnel and facilitate the smooth flow of the event.
Beyond the conference, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhopal on May 31st also includes other significant events, such as the launch of metro rail projects in Indore, the inauguration of new ghats along the Shipra River in Ujjain, and the laying of the foundation stone for the Singhasth Mahaparv 2028 preparations. The comprehensive security measures and the visible leadership of women officers reflect a concerted effort to ensure a safe, organized, and symbolically powerful visit by the Prime Minister.