New Delhi, the capital of India, is witnessing high security centering PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.
On threat inputs received by Indian intelligence agencies, Delhi police have put in place a five-layer security ring around Narendra Modi’s swearing-in.
Around 10,000 security personnel drawn from Delhi police, paramilitary and NSG commandos will form the five-layer security ring. They will keep a hawk-eye vigil, with a ground-to-air security system, at par with the one placed during the Republic Day parade, also being put in place.
Modi is set to take oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening.
Delhi police have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in New Delhi district for the next 60 days. The swearing-in ceremony will be witnessed by nearly 4,000 invitees, which will include heads of state and governments of SAARC nations.
“We have made elaborate security arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony. Prohibitory orders have been put in place in New Delhi district.
Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Mukesh Kumar Meena said: “A complete air defence grid has been put in place. Any aerial activities, including hot air balloons, will not be allowed. We are on guard against any kind of terror act.”
The Indian Air Force too has installed an air defence system to secure the skies. Anti-aircraft guns have been placed at sensitive locations.
Snipers will be deployed at all high-rise buildings around the high-security area hours before the ceremony begins at 6pm at the forecourt lawn of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Mobile hit teams, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams have been deployed besides paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos to secure the area. Dog squad and bomb-disposal squads have already sanitised the venue however the drill will again be repeated several times on Monday.
NSG commandos will be responsible for the inner layer of security.
All buildings like North Block, South Block and defence buildings around Rashtrapati Bhavan will be shut down by 1pm following which they will be sanitised by security agencies and their roof tops secured.
Senior police officers will be on ground in the command room to monitor the situation in real time, when the actual swearing-in takes place.
Spotters will also be present on several high rise buildings, like Rail Bhavan and Air Force Headquarters, which are close to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
This report originally appeared at Hindustan Times.
