The Gujarat government has beefed up security, deploying police and paramilitary personnel all over the state even as a bandh was called in Godhra to mark the first anniversary of the train carnage on Thursday, senior home department officials said in Ahmedabad.
In the communally sensitive town of Godhra in Panchmahals district, more than 150 security personnel have been deployed on account of various programmes being planned by VHP and Shiv Sena activists in memory of the 59 persons who perished when the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire on February 27 last year.
Among others, VHP leader Pravin Togadia is expected to be in attendance.
"We do not expect any trouble, but are not taking any chances and have deployed security personnel in full strength at sensitive spots in the state," Home Secretary K Nityanandam told PTI in Ahmedabad.