Date:15/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081512410100.htm

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Unprecedented security at Red Fort for I-Day

Staff Reporter

All set for Independence Day

ALL EYES ON THE RED FORT: Securitymen perched atop a lift keep up vigil in Delhi's Chandni Chowk on the eve of Independence Day. - PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA

NEW DELHI: With a vast security apparatus on the ground in top gear and ticking away with clockwork precision, the only variable on the eve of Independence Day here in the Capital appeared to be the fickle weather. The historic Red Fort, from whose ramparts Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the National Tricolour and address the nation this Tuesday morning, stands transformed into a virtual fortress. Over 10,000 personnel are on the ground guarding the venue of the Independence Day celebrations. Movement of commercial vehicles on the Ring Road stretch behind the Red Fort was stopped at 2 p.m. on Monday. Similarly, Netaji Subhas Marg nearby would also be closed to commercial traffic during the period.

On Tuesday, once the VVIPs alight from their vehicles and reach the ramparts for the Independence Day ceremony, even the chauffeurs at the allotted parking enclosures will not be allowed to leave their vehicles. The invitees have been directed not to carry any bag, briefcase, electronic car keys, mobile phones, cameras or binoculars. They have also been advised to carry proof of identity as well as the invitation cards in their envelopes.

As part of the unprecedented security measures, the police also kept up a strict vigil on the movement of vehicles on all arterial roads leading to the Red Fort throughout Monday. The checking would be intensified during the night and free movement of vehicles would be allowed only after 11 a.m. on Tuesday. However, those in need of medical help would be allowed to proceed to hospitals.

On the borders, too, the police initiated thorough checking of vehicles on Monday. Barricades were put up at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border on National Highway 24. Every vehicle was physically checked. The underbellies of cars were scanned using inverted mirrors. Similar exercises were undertaken at all other borders of the Capital.

Extra barricades, additional policemen and plainclothesmen and thorough checking of all vehicles were the order of the day around North Block and South Blocks in New Delhi. Vehicle without stickers were not allowed to park near the high-security buildings and the ones with the stickers were thoroughly checked. Security had already been stepped up at all important buildings in Lutyens' Delhi.

Delhi Metro stations are being guarded by 3,500-odd policemen and personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force. On Monday, commuters were not being allowed to carry liquids in bottles including medicines. At busy stations like Connaught Place, every commuter was physically frisked even during peak hours. All vehicles were ordered removed from the Metro station parking lots from 10 p.m. on Monday till 12 noon on Tuesday.