Security scaled up in Delhi, borders for Independence Day

Security has been scaled up across the national capital ahead of Independence Day with thousands of personnel keeping strict vigil at strategic locations, including the Delhi borders where farmers have been on a sit-in for over eight months to protest the Centre’s new agri laws, officials said on Saturday.

According to the police, a multi-layered security cover has been put at the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the 75th Independence Day.

Multi-layered security arrangements are also in place with heavy barricading and extra picket deployments at vital installations across the city, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport, railway stations, and bus terminals along with border areas to thwart any untoward incident.

Anti-sabotage checks are being carried out and patrolling has been intensified across the city, including on the Yamuna River where patrolling is being conducted on motor boats by the Delhi police. Anti-terrorist measures are being carried out in view of threat perception and intelligence inputs, they said.

Chinmoy Biswal, the Delhi police PRO, said, “In view of Independence Day, elaborate security arrangements have been made in coordination with other security agencies at and around Red Fort in a coordinated manner. Arrangements have been made to combat hostile elements. No aerial objects or balloons are allowed this Independence Day.”

At the Mughal-era fort, a security ring, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos, and kite catchers, have been placed while anti drone systems have also been installed there in view of the recent terror attack at IAF station in Jammu Airport, officials said.

Policemen in civil dress would be deployed at strategic locations across the national capital with extra focus in and around the Red Fort.

As part of the anti-terror measures, enhanced police presence; intensive checking at vulnerable points; checking of hotels and guest houses, SIM card, and second hand car dealers; sensitisation of cyber cafe owners; and verification of tenant and servant drives have been intensively carried out by all the police stations, officials said.