Obama to use own Black cadillac for keeping in touch

NEW DELHI: An elaborate security drill to prepare for. President Barack Obama’s visit has been set in motion. According to top sources in the security wing of Delhi Police , at least three floors, including the one which has the Presidential Suite where Obama will be staying, at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel has been completely sanitized with no guests, visitors or unauthorized hotel staff allowed to enter these floors.

According to sources, the virtual lockdown of the floors began on Monday after US security agencies surveyed the area and carried out all necessary anti-sabotage drills. At Taj Hotel, where 100 rooms have been booked, the lock down drill is expected to be carried out later. The entire hotel premises will virtually turn into a fortress a couple of days before the US President arrives in the capital on November 7.

Meanwhile, sources told Times City that besides Indian Air Force, the US Air Force is expected to play a pivotal role in providing the air cover. After a suspected bomb was found on a cargo plane at East Midlands airport , it is likely that the US will set up two command centres — one each at Mumbai and Delhi — to monitor the movement of the President.

‘‘ There is nothing to suggest that these are heightened measures. These are common in any country where the US President makes a stopover,’’ said a security expert.

Meanwhile, as several international dailies reported on Monday, the President during his stay in India will be using his own black Cadillac which has conferencing facilities with US vice-president and the US strategic command. Three Marine One choppers are also expected to come in India only for this trip.

There were unconfirmed reports on Friday evening about the hotels ‘‘ being told’ ’ to remove all their route maps and photos from their official websites. But neither the Delhi Police nor the public relations officers of both the hotels confirmed the news.

Meanwhile, after the home ministry issued the security advisory on Monday to Delhi government in view of Diwali and the US President’s visit, Delhi Police has increased its presence at all important markets in Delhi.

In addition, the special branch has also been asked to collect information about various protests that might take place during Obama’s stay. The left parties and even a right-wing faction has declared their intentions to protest against Obama’s policies on November 8, a day after he lands in Delhi.

Police have been instructed to collect ‘‘ credible information’’ . ‘‘ It is true that though special branch had collected information about the SAS Geelani-Arundhati Roy conference, the local police was informed about it very late. We do not want a repeat of this though Obama is definitely not unpopular in India unlike his predecessor George W Bush,’’ said a source.