Security has been heightened across Delhi on Independence Day and Janmashtami
About 70,000 Delhi Police personnel kept a tight vigil over the national capital, especially around the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 71st Independence Day today.
The city has been put under an unprecedented ground-to-air security cover in view of the twin occasions of the Independence Day and Janmashtami festival, a senior police officer said.
Thousands of security personnel, including 9,100 personnel from the Delhi Police, were deployed in and around the historic Red fort which saw the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the prime minister's address.
Two dozen Parakram Vans manned by quick reaction teams of NSG-trained commandos had been stationed in areas with high footfall to thwart any attempt by terror groups to disrupt peace. As many as 11 such vans had been deployed in the area around the Red Fort.
"There is multi-tier security in place. The area is being monitored by CCTV cameras and there are multi-tier security checks in place for people coming to the area," said the senior police officer.
At the Red Fort, a special team of NSG snipers and commandos formed the inner layers of the security cordon while anti-aircraft guns were deployed to thwart any aerial intrusion by objects like drones and projectiles, senior police officials said.
The Delhi Police has already prohibited aerial activities, including para-gliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons, across the city.
The police also surveyed the areas in the vicinity of the Red Fort and collected details of over 9,000 people residing there. The buildings facing the Red Fort were secured by police and paramilitary personnel.
Security along the route which was taken by the prime minister's cavalcade from his official residence to the Red Fort was being monitored with the help of hundreds of CCTV cameras.
Special "spotters" of the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces kept an eye on parking areas. Over 60 sniffer dogs of paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police were a part of the extensive security deployment.
Preliminary security arrangements were made in July and senior police and intelligence officials had regularly been taking stock of the arrangements to weed out any shortcomings and glitches.
Delhi Metro services ran as usual. However, stations like Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO saw restricted entry and exit during the ceremony owing to security considerations. Parking has been made unavailable at the stations till 2 pm in view of the security measures.
Security around prominent temples like the Iskcon temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and the Gouri Shankar temple have been increased as large congregations of devotees are expected on Janmasthami festival, the birthday of Lord Krishna.