Giving out strict directions to the Delhi police not to leave any loopholes in security even as the Organising Committee has delayed works in the Commonwealth Games venues, the home ministry has asked Delhi police to start deployment of security forces at the earliest.
The direction to the Delhi police, the nodal agency for Games security, came from Union home secretary G.K. Pillai at a review meeting held here at the Delhi police headquarters to take stock of the preparations of security agencies for the mega sporting event. Sources disclosed that Mr Pillai directed the Delhi police not to wait for OC to hand over the venues but begin deployment immediately.
As foreign athletes have started trooping in for the Games, the home ministry has asked the Delhi police to be on highest alert and not “compromise” on security owing to the delays caused by other agencies.
Mr Pillai is also understood to have asked the Delhi police to prepare a “standby” security plan as the work was undergoing in Games Village as well as Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. The police are yet to ensure a complete lock down of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, missing five deadlines set by the home ministry due to ongoing construction works.
Fresh problems have emerged in the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) to be used for communication by the security forces. Sources said, Mr Pillai was apprised about the difficulties, including a connectivity problem, faced by personnel in using the TETRA network for communication.
All Commonwealth Games venues are being linked to a single control room in the Delhi police headquarters for monitoring every movement at the venues and ensure quick police action in dealing with any threat or emergency during the mega sporting event. “I had a review meeting with Delhi police commissioner, Delhi chief secretary and NSG director general and senior police officials including venue commanders. Our aim is to ensure that the whole of Delhi is safe and not alone the CWG venues,” Mr Pillai said.
“We had a complete review of security arrangements, anticipating what type of threats could arise. We are trying to make sure that we are fully prepared to meet any eventuality,” Mr Pillai said after the 90-minute meeting.
He said the review meet was held to tell the officials to be alert as it is a major task for the Delhi police to ensure security “not just for athletes and Games venues but for the entire city itself”.
The security review comes in the backdrop of potential threats from terror groups, including the Indian Mujahideen which recently sent a mail thrashing to unleash violence during the Games.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the security arrangements, Mr Pillai said that if there was more time, more foolproof arrangements could have been made. “I think, I am quite satisfied (with the arrangements),” he said. “I have also visited the C4i control room. Except for one venue, all venues have been linked with C4i,” he said. C4i is an integrated control room of the Delhi Police and every movement at the Games venues will be monitored from the police headquarters. Meanwhile, all the venues have individual control rooms.