Over 6000 personnel to keep vigil during Modi`s swearing-in

New Delhi: A multi-layered security apparatus has been put in place for Narendra Modi`s swearing-in as India`s 14th Prime Minister at forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, to be witnessed by nearly 4000 invitees including heads of state and government of SAARC nations.

More than 6000 security personnel will keep a hawk-eyed vigil even as a ground-to-air security system at par with the one placed during the Republic Day parade has been put in place for the ceremony. "We have made elaborate security arrangements for the swearing in ceremony. Prohibitory orders have been put in place in the New Delhi district. Full air defence grid is place. Any airborne activity including hot air balloons will not be allowed. We are on guard against terror act," said Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) MK Meena. IAF has put in place an air defence system to secure the skies. Anti-aircraft guns have been placed at classified locations. Snipers will be deployed at all high-rise buildings around the high-security area hours before the ceremony begins at 6 PM at forecourt lawn of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mobile hit teams, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) have been deployed besides paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos to secure the area. Dog squad and bomb-disposal squads have already sanitised the venue but the drill will also be repeated several times tomorrow. NSG commandos will be responsible for the inner layer of security. All buildings like North Block, South Block and defence buildings around Rashtrapati Bhavan will be shut at 1 PM following which they will be sanitised by security agencies and their roof tops will be secured, police said. "In the restricted areas, only official vehicles and bonafide residents will be allowed. Commandos and local police will strengthen the operations of traffic police. Till the time all invitees leave the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the security blanket will be operational," said Meena. Talking about security for the bilateral talks slated to be held on Tuesday, Meena said that full security drill is in place for the meeting. "Prohibitory orders are in place in the New Delhi area till Tuesday," he said.