INDIA: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010: Unprecedented security in Indian capital ahead of Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
Record ID:
1376949
INDIA: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010: Unprecedented security in Indian capital ahead of Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
- Title: INDIA: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010: Unprecedented security in Indian capital ahead of Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
- Date: 4th October 2010
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (OCTOBER 03, 2010) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) VEHICLES PARKED OUTSIDE NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION SIGNBOARD READING 'NEW DELHI' POLICE PERSONNEL ON GUARD AT THE RAILWAY STATION POLICEMAN ON GUARD POLICE PERSONNEL ON VIGIL AT RAILWAY STATION BANNER READING 'DELHI 2010, XIX COMMONWEALTH GAMES' TOURIST PUTTING HIS BAG INSIDE THE LUGGAGE SCANNER POLICEMAN LOOKING AT A COMPUTER SCREEN COMPUTER SCREEN DISPLAYING GOODS INSIDE THE BAG TOURISTS TAKING THEIR BAGS FROM THE LUGGAGE SCANNERS POLICEMAN CHECKING THE BAG OF A TOURIST POLICEMAN FRISKING A TOURIST (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAMESH CHAND SHARMA, A RESIDENT OF DELHI, SAYING: "I am not facing any problem. The security arrangements are good and the security should be the same always." POLICE PERSONNEL STOPPING A VEHICLE FOR CHECKING POLICEMAN ON GUARD POLICE PERSONNEL CHECKING A VEHICLE POLICEMAN LOOKING AT THE IDENTITY CARDS OF THE PEOPLE SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE POLICE PERSONNEL STOPPING ANOTHER CAR FOR CHECKING POLICEMAN LOOKING INTO THE BOOT OF THE CAR SIGNBOARD SHOWING DIRECTIONS OF THE TERMINALS AT THE AIRPORT POLICEMAN LOOKING AT THE IDENTITY CARD OF A PERSON SITTING IN A CAB OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT POLICE PERSONNEL OPENING THE BOOT OF A CAR OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT POLICE PERSONNEL CHECKING THE LUGGAGE IN THE BOOT OF THE CAR EXTERIOR OF INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SECURITY PERSONNEL ON GUARD OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL STANDING OUTSIDE AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 19th October 2010 16:36
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Police,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVANPT29V6LHRWZNZA0CME4AJ9V
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: With just hours to go until the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, authorities on Sunday (October 3) stepped up security in the Indian capital, New Delhi.
Over 100,000 security personnel have been deployed to thwart any threats to the sporting extravaganza which has been frought with security worries and lack of preparation.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. (1330 GMT).
According to various security agency sources, the security personnel deployed for the Games include 3,000 commandos, 100 anti-sabotage teams, 200 specially trained dogs and 15 bomb disposal squads are part of the vast security force.
Traffic is under tight control with a lane reserved especially for Gamers-related travel by atheletes and officials.
Residents were taking the inconveniences in stride.
"I am not facing any problem. The security arrangements are good and the security should be the same always," said New Delhi resident Ramesh Chand Sharma.
Commandos, snipers and police personnel have been deployed at venues, at allied places -- such as luxury hotels and metro stations -- to ensure the safety of thousands of athletes.
Surface-to-air missile squadrons and anti-aircraft guns have been put in place, mobile and static observation posts have also been created to keep tabs on any suspicious activity.
Leaving behind the controversies of the recent past over corruption, cost overruns and hygiene, most of the 6,700 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states have arrived at the Games Village in the city.
The 12-day long sporting extravaganza of mostly former British colonies was in crisis a week ago however, organisers seemed to have put the worst behind and everything seems to have fallen into place just before the opening ceremony.
The late scramble by the Indian government to salvage some pride in the $6 billion mega event might still not be enough to erase the public relations disaster of the last few weeks but the 19th Commonwealth Games is certainly underway. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None