Delhi turned into fortress ahead of Independence Day

NEW DELHI: A day before the Independence Day, the city was on Tuesday turned into a fortress, with over 50,000 police personnel guarding the streets of Delhi.

In order to ensure foolproof security arrangements, law enforcement officials have sealed 69 buildings and shops close to Red Fort.

During inspections, cops also found negligence from the side of SIM dealers, who did not maintain proper information of the persons who purchased SIM cards from them. More than 40 cases were registered against such persons.

Police sources claimed that an internal advisory was issued regarding extensive checking of SIM dealers. Over 20 cases were registered against violators in Dwarka district, 14 violations were found in South Delhi and 10 cases were reported in South West district.

“The SIM dealers were having documents of customers where the photo was not visible or the address was not clear,” said a police official.

A senior officer told Millennium Post they have made foolproof security arrangements and sealed 69 buildings, including vacant ones, close to Red Fort.

The windows of these buildings are also being closely monitored, to ensure no one can hide there.

Close to 10,000 cops have been deployed at the Mughalera fort, which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the Prime Minister's address on Wednesday.

Over 500 CCTV cameras have been installed on the routes leading to the Red Fort, with over 200 cameras in the Fort itself.

Their footage is being monitored round the clock, police said.

Enhancing security for Independence Day celebrations, the police had earlier installed internet protocol cameras guarding the markets of south east Delhi.

Delhi Police personnel have been specifically asked to keep an eye on the sky to ensure no stray kites are seen in the areas around the Red Fort.

This time, more than 30 women personnel of the Delhi Police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit will also be guarding the venue with their male counterparts.

Police have already carried out anti-sabotage checks in the area and visited hotels in the vicinity to search for suspicious elements, officials said, adding that a security audit of the residents, including tenants, has been completed.

Vehicles without parking labels for the rehearsal parade need to avoid Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Subhash Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Ring Road between Nizamuddin Bridge and ISBT bridge. Roads will be closed for general traffic from 5 am to 9 am.