Delhi put under tight security ahead of I-Day celebrations

Sunday, August 14, 2011: On the eve of Independence Day celebrations, an elaborate ground-to-air security apparatus has been put in place in the capital to pre-empt any terror strike.
Thousands of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in and around the city, especially near the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the tricolour and address the nation.
The Union Home Ministry has already issued a country-wide alert asking states to tighten security at sensitive locations and installations to thwart any attempt of terror strike. “We have deployed personnel in abundance. We are not taking any chance,” a senior police official said.
Around 40 CCTVs will be installed in and around the Red Fort to ensure incident-free celebrations while sharpshooters of the NSG will be deployed on the high-rises near the 17th century Mughal monument. Security agencies are constantly reviewing arrangements at the Red Fort and have zeroed in on the ’safe houses’ where the Prime Minister and other leaders should be taken to in case of a terrorist strike.
According to a senior police official, the localities around Red Fort have been sanitised and informers have been deployed to keep a check on any movement of anti-national elements. Specialized units like Quick Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra are being deployed, the official said. An intense vigil will also be maintained on key installations like Parliament complex, international airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

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