Delhi turns into fortress ahead of 70th I-Day
14 August, New Delhi
A tight security cover shrouded the national capital ahead of the celebrations of the 70th Independence Day, to avert any untoward incident and to tackle the heightened terror threat in the country.
Areas around the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the national flag and address the nation tomorrow, have been put under a massive security blanket and the air space in this area has been declared a ‘no-fly zone”.
According to sources, all the buildings facing the Red Fort are under the radar of the security forces and are being checked keeping in mind the wide view that the Prime Minister will face. Equipment and arrangements that are in place to secure the VVIP zone, included the deployment of drones and para-gliders, apart from other traditional means.
Residents and even beggars, trees, almost everything will be under the radar of security agencies around the historic Lal Qila. T
he police have also got 3,000 trees trimmed in and around the venue for providing better security, which will be thoroughly checked and guarded by the security personnel on the Independence Day.Over 5000 Delhi policemen and 1000 security personnel will guard the Red Fort venue apart from the elite NSG commodes to ensure smooth state festivities on the Nation Day.
According to sources, around 40,000 security personnel will take to Delhi streets in the wake of intelligence inputs, saying that terrorists might strike at crowded, religious places and government establishments. In an extra precautionary measure, Police has already prohibited sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders etc till October 10.
The order issued by Police also prohibits UAVs, UASs, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small size powered aircrafts, quadcopters or even by Para jumping from aircraft etc.Special teams will be deputed in the national capital to overcome any potential air borne threat such as drones. Sources said the top cop has cancelled leave of all the cops for August 15.
Also, directions have been issued to keep sufficient bullet-proof jackets in every PCR van. Security has been further beefed up in Delhi by the security agencies following a threatening phone call received by a Noida resident.”An unidentified caller had made a call to a Noida resident on August 11 and said there would be a blast in Delhi and Noida on the Independence day,” sources said.
Several traffic restrictions have been put in the national capital ahead of the celebrations. Delhi Metro Parking lots will remain closed due to security measures on August 14 and 15.