Amid capital fright, seven-layer security cover to be put in place in Delhi

An extraordinary seven-layer security cover will be put in place in the capital from Friday night following an escalation in the threat perception regarding the Republic Day parade on January 26, at which French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest. Sources say that areas in Lutyens' Delhi will under the vigil of the Indian and French intelligence agencies aided by the CIA.

Apart from the 15,000 policemen to be deployed in the Lutyens' zone and on the parade route, a similar number will be incorporated into a six-layer ring around Red Fort, with an additional layer comprising confidential and detailed “sub-layers" at Rajpath, where VVIPs and other dignitaries will be seated.

Rajpath will be a no-fly zone, and personnel equipped with man-portable air defence systems will be posted there. Special arrangements will be made to intercept air or ground objects venturing anywhere close to where the French president and the Indian prime minister will be seated. Similar arrangements will be made at places the duo is likely to frequent.The French Special Forces personnel will be included in the venue security.

The police claimed that the security at Rajpath this year will be more stringent than the one mounted for the visit of US President Barack Obama last year.

While checks at the airports, railway stations, bus stands and vital installations will be enhanced, extra effort will be made in scanning vehicles coming from Punjab and Haryana. Security has al so been tightened in popular markets in south and central Delhi and in Delhi Cantonment. Some Delhi Police SWAT teams have been posi ioned at sensitive locations o prevent a Pathankot-like error attack.

The beat cops have been asked to remain extra vigi ant about suspicious move ments in their localities. Cloth merchants have been asked to report any bulk sale of material that closely resembles uniforms worn by security forces, including army fatigues.

Drones might be deployed in central Delhi, while helicopters will patrol the outskirts of the city. There will be 1,400 cameras placed at strategic locations, with the area being monitored by 30 officers at a special control room. A 2-km radius around Lutyens' Delhi will be covered by an air-defence system. Quick response teams will also be at hand in different parts of the city to respond to emergencies, a senior police official said.

Sharpshooters and spotters will be positioned on around 360 buildings along the parade route from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort. Shootat-sight orders will be issued to deal with suspicious behaviour within cordoned-off areas. Commandos specializing in hostage situations will also be on alert.