Security agencies in concert with the Delhi Police have decided to put up a stringent security blanket in and around the Rashtrapati Bhavan to ensure the swearing-in ceremony of India's 15th Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Intelligence agencies have also sounded the security agencies after the recent attack on Indian consulate in Herat in Afghanistan. The Delhi Police has also written to all the Government offices stating that they must close down the offices by 1 pm on Monday. Buildings in the vicinity, including North and South Avenue will be secured with elite National Security Guards (NSG) commandos.
A ground-to-air security cover on par with the Republic Day parade will be put in place for Modi's swearing-in ceremony, which will be attended by top leaders of neighbouring countries and around 3,000 other selected guests.
Delhi Police said a multi-layered security ring will be thrown around Raisina Hills and all offices around it will be closed five hours before the event takes place at forecourt lawn of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"The offices around Rashtrapati Bhavan will be shut at 1pm following which they will be sanitised by security agencies. The security will be on par with R-Day parade," said a senior police official. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 6pm.
Sources said the Indian Air Force will put in place an air defence system to secure the skies and snippers will be deployed at all high-rise buildings around the high-security area. Police said all roads around Raisina Hills will also be barricaded as part of security measures. Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of NSG will also be deployed besides paramilitary forces and Delhi Police. Dog squad and bomb-disposal squads will sanitise the venue and will be on rounds. Following the footsteps of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi had expressed his desire to be sworn at the forecourt so that a large number of visitors can be accommodated.
Earlier, Chandrashekar was another Prime Minister who had taken oath at the same venue. Around 3,000 guests are expected to participate in the event.
The oath-taking ceremony has assumed a more high-profile event with SAARC leaders Rajapaksa, Karzai, Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom attending the ceremony.