Additional security forces drawn from non-sensitive areas have been dispatched to communally sensitive parts of South Gujarat to maintain the law and order situation there, and to avoid a repeat of the spate of attacks (which began, ironically, on Christmas Day) on Christians and their religious and educational institutions in Dangs and Surat districts.

At a meeting here this evening, Senior officials, including ACS (Home) V V Ramsubbarao, briefed Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel on the security arrangements being made in the sensitive areas. The quarterly meeting was held to review the law and order situation and discuss the police problems.

Later, Subbarao told the Express Newsline, "Though we do not anticipate any trouble during this period, we are not taking any chances. The government has issued instructions to all DSPs and district collectors to keep a strict vigil in their respective areas".

Director-General of Police C P Singh said that no special arrangements have been made in the state in view of Good Friday as the situation in most areas was normal and under control. The police have only been asked to be extra vigilant, he said. On Dangs, he said that there was no need to deploy additional forces as four-odd companies of the SRP were already in the region.