Members of women's netball team urge relatives to stay away from the Capital

CWG security Kiwi athletes raise questions

Members of women's netball team urge relatives to stay away from the Capital

While the authorities and police have expressed their satisfaction with the security situation in the Capital ahead of the impending Commonwealth Games, it seems the people who matter the most are not buying these claims.

Sportspersons like Casey Williams, captain of New Zealand's netball team, are getting anxious over the safety aspect during the Games; Casey has asked her family members to stay away from Delhi. The captain of the world champion team feels that though athletes would be safe in the city, it would be difficult for cops to take care of the general public and visitors.

Williams might be going that extra mile to protect her family, but there are others who are equally sceptical. Several members of New Zealand's netball team had earlier expressed their apprehensions regarding the security scenario.u00a0

But here in the Capital security issues, at least currently it would seem, are a lesser priority as there's a mad rush on to complete Games related projects. Delhi police commissioner YS Dadwal too seemed satisfied with the security situation on Sunday, but he slammed Delhiites for their poor traffic sense. He expressed belief that things would improve rapidly if people become a little more responsible.

Stay home, stay safe
There would be a complete ban on regular commuters for the entire period of Games on routes, which would be used to ferry athletes. Delhi police is looking for new communication measures and additional staff in the form of traffic governors to minimise jams, which have already taken a menacing shape in the Capital this season.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Delhi police has also asked trade organisations like FICCI, CII etc not to hold any big event during the Games, as its entire staff would be hard-pressed in securing the event and the athletes.u00a0
All schools, colleges and government offices too would be closed during the Games to avoid traffic congestion in the city.

Delhi police's new wheels
Cops in the Capital are procuring special armoured cars to deal with any terror attack during the Games. This would be the first police force in the country to operate such cars, which will house a group of trained commandos with sophisticated weapons round the clock. The cars, besides their deployment outside the Games venues, would also patrol the routes and other important areas. The first batch of these commandos is already ready while two more groups are undergoing training.

Regular policing would also be beefed up during the Games. A fleet of 750 PCR vans and 120 motorcycles fitted with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are set to hit the city roads. The cops are also procuring anti-sabotage equipment like mine sweepers, fiberscopes and explosive detectors, especially for the mega event.u00a0
Apart from around 80,000 Delhi police personnel, over 17,500 paramilitary personnel, 3,000 specialised commandos and 100 anti-sabotage check teams will be deployed across the city.

Terror comes calling
Security experts have again made it clear that known militant organisations from Pakistan are planning to launch a fresh attack in Delhi during the Games. While Lashkar-e-Taibau00a0the perpetrator of the 26/11 attacks and serial blasts in the country - remains on top of the list, other militant groups are coming out of hibernation to target India seeing this as an opportune moment.

"Babbar Khalsa and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), the banned terror outfits of Punjab are also planning to target international athletes and Indians during the Games. In the last few years the activities of these terror groups have increased in the countries where they managed to get sympathisers and funds," said an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Simultaneously, Pakistan based terror groups are planning to launch fresh attacks to dent India's image as a secure nation. According to security experts, LeT is training a fresh group of terrorists for the job.u00a0u00a0