In what is being labelled as an extra-ordinary security
set-up, more than 6000 security personnel from Delhi Police, para-military,
national security guards (NSG) and armed forces will stand guard on May 26 when
PM-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath in presence of around 3000
dignitaries.
Visiting heads of government will be guarded as per their
individual threat assessment with the highest security cover to be thrown
around Nawaj Sharif, Hamid Karzai and Mahindra Rajpaksa.
The security establishment is leaving no stone upturned as
the threat assessment for this ceremony is far more than even a summit where
such dignitaries usually assemble. There were initial apprehensions among the
intelligence agencies about an open-air ceremony. As invitees include foreign
dignitaries and diplomats, the arrangements have been tailored to take care of
all related security concerns.
Central intelligence agencies have informed Delhi Police
about possible attempts by the terrorist groups to disrupt the ceremony and
security agencies of respective countries are working in tandem with the Indian
intelligence to provide adept security cover to the guests. The security
personnel of eight visiting countries - Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Maldives, Mauritius, Bhutan and Afghanistan - would also coordinate with Delhi
Police the personal security of their dignitaries.
The security unit of Delhi Police and the prime minister's
security unit have drawn out a multi-layer security plan and sources said a
policeman will be deployed every twenty meters on Monday.
Roads by which the foreign dignitaries' carcade will move to
the Rashtrapati Bhavan and back will be closed 10 minutes in advance. Raisina
Hill will be cordoned off Vijay Path onwards. North Block and South Block
offices will be shut at 1 pm and secured by Central para-military troops.
Metro stations at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhavan,
however, will not be closed to prevent crowds from building up.
The area in two-kilometer radius around Rashtrapati Bhawan
will be secured from ground to air by an air defense system. Apart from
para-military and special cell's commandos, mobile Quick Response Teams,
anti-aircraft weapons and NSG commandos will be stationed at strategic
locations. The anti-aircraft guns will also be in position at Rashtrapati
Bhavan, even as the airspace above will be closed and secured by IAF. Sources
say that anti-sabotage checks at RP Bhawan, five hotels in Lutyens Zone -
Maurya Sheraton, Taj Mansingh, Taj Palace, Leela Palace and Oberoi have already
been put in place, which will be repeated four-five times till Monday evening.
Most of the guests out of 3000 invites including Head of States (HOSs) and
their representatives would be staying at these hotels.
While 5 best sniffer dogs have been asked form Delhi Police,
the other forces have also chipped in their best canines. The bomb disposal
squads of NSG and other units have been readied with the Delhi police's squads
being in reserve.
The special branch has also scanned the identity of people
who have stayed in these hotels in May and identity cards of hotels staff,
people used for catering, security and logistical RP Bhawan would be prepared
by Delhi Police after proper verification.
The area around these hotels and the road leading from there
to Rashtrapati Bhawan will be sanitized on Sunday. Enhanced security checks and
extra police pickets and barricades will be enforced from Saturday night,
sources said.
SWAT teams of the special cell have also been asked to be
ready to combat any situation while their spotters have been deployed at secret
locations which are high-rises like hotels and buildings in central Delhi.
From Gujarat Bhawan, where Narendra Modi is staying, to
Rashtrapati Bhawan, special arrangements for security on the route have also
been made. Modi may reach President House surrounded with a contingent of cars.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Unprecedented-security-for-Modis-swearing-in-ceremony/articleshow/35530401.cms
