This decision was taken at a high-level meeting held in Ara on Sunday. It was attended, among others, by additional director-general (ADG) of police (law and order) S K Bhardwaj and inspector-general (Patna zone) Bhrigu Srinivasan.

Bhojpur district magistrate Pratima S Varma, superintendent of police (SP) M R Naik and sub-divisional officer Dharmesh Kumar, were also present.

Intelligence reports suspect presence of some elements who may cause trouble during the function.

Twenty-two companies of anti-riot force and two-dozen magistrates will be deployed to keep a close watch on those attending shradh.

Organizers claimed that about 50,000 people are expected to attend it. Bhardwaj asked the Bhojpur SP to seal all the roads connecting Khopira. The SP has been instructed to carry out intensive vehicle checking on the 20-km stretch from Ara to Khopira and also on the main roads as a precautionary measure.

However, security personnel of VIPs would be allowed to carry their licenced weapons, which suggests that many of them are likely to attend it.

On the other hand the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the killing has intensified its operation to arrest Abhay Pandey, the prime suspect in the case. Pandey is believed to have provided shelter to the assailants of the Ranvir Sena chief at his Katira house in Ara town. Pandey’s house is close to that of Mukhiyaji.

Abhay is the nephew of Hareram Pandey, who is at present lodged in Buxar Central Jail.