Patna: Rocked by serial blasts two weeks ago, the Gandhi Maidan on Sunday buzzed with activity as a book fair started on the sprawling grounds under tight security arrangements, official sources said.
Apparently undeterred by the impact of the serial blasts which claimed six lives during a BJP rally on October 27 last, an impressive crowd was present at the inaugural function of the book fair which was presided over by state education minister P K Shani, the sources said.
As many as 310 book stalls have been set up at the Gandhi Maidan by well known publishers from across the country and world at the two week-long book fair, its convenor Amit Jha said, adding an organisation, Centre for Readership, has organised the fair.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made at the grounds and surrounding areas, Gandhi Maidan police station sergeant major Rajendra Prasad said.
Though the organisers have not communicated to us about security requirements, we have taken the responsibility on our own to ensure safety and security of the visitors, he said.
The Gandhi Maidan grounds was sanitised by a CRPF team last week and handed over the Patna Police on Monday last for throwing the sprawling ground open for the public.
The Gandhi Maidan was rocked by serial blasts on October 27 last during BJP`s `Hunkar Rally` addressed among others by its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
