Commonwealth Games attractive target for terrorists: CM Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: Terrorists will try to destabilise the country and stop the holding of Commonwealth Games in Delhi, which has become an "attractive" target for them but there is no need to panic, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said on Sunday.

"Nobody's life will come to a standstill. And certainly no panic should be there. Of course the police, the Home Ministry and Lt Governor are doing their best and they are doing their work (on this matter)," she said.

Her comments come in the backdrop of US, UK and Australia warning about "imminent terror attacks" in tourist-hubs in the capital.

"Look I will tell you that Commonwealth Games would be an attractive target for them (terrorists). The aim of terrorists is to destabilise the country and show that the government cannot hold the Commonwealth games, Dikshit said.

Lt Governor Tejindar Khanna, when asked whether people should stay indoors, replied, "Nobody is saying that people should stay at home. Because that would be, I think, just acting out of fear psychosis."

The US, UK and Australia have issued advisories, warning of "imminent" terror attacks in the capital, particularly in market places like Connaught Place, Greater Kailash and Chandni Chowk.

The national capital remained under a security blanket in the wake of alerts of "imminent" terror strikes, with Delhi Police deploying a major chunk of its manpower on the streets and crowded commercial centres.