New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS): Their weapons drawn out, thousands of security personnel were on high alert in and around the Commonwealth Games Village and other venues as the Indian capital prepared for a gala opening this evening of the 12-day event that has drawn nearly 7,000 athletes and officials from around the world.
With the Delhi government ordering the closure of all shops and commercial establishments, the city embraced an unusual on Sunday. Traffic was thin on the roads as popular markets, which usually draw large crowds on Sundays, attracted no customer.
Liquor shops have also been ordered shut all over the city, a Delhi Police official said. Only eateries in neighbourhood markets appeared to be open.
According to the official, around 80,000 Delhi Police and nearly 20,000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, 1,500 National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, 100 anti-sabotage teams, 300 sniffer dogs and 15 bomb disposal squads were on duty for the biggest sports event India has hosted since the 1982 Asian Games.
"Besides the police and paramilitary, there will be UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) will be looking for possible air intrusions," he said. Official sources have earlier said that select ground personnel were equipped for chemical, biological or radiological attacks by terrorists.
Army helicopters today hovered over the sprawling Games Village housing the visitors from 71 countries and territories that together form the Commonwealth world. Control rooms have been set up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the inaugural and closing ceremonies, the Games village and the other venues.
"Atleast 7,500 security personnel will guard the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium. Over 3,000 CCTV cameras are put up in and around the venues," the official added. A 24X7 control room functions in the North Block office of the home ministry, which controls Delhi Police.
Indian officials have taken unprecedented security steps both due to fears of possible terror attacks and in the wake of statements particularly from Australia whose leaders went public saying the Delhi Games would be a target for terrorists.
The police have taken the job of security so seriously that they have even asked roadside vendors to pack up in many areas until the Commonwealth Games end Oct 14.
