More than 8,000 Delhi Police personnel and several elite National Security Guard commandos will be deployed in and around Taj Palace here for the upcoming BRICS summit that will see leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa attend the event.
“More than a thousand Delhi Traffic Police personnel will be deployed to ensure implementation of traffic restrictions and smooth flow of vehicular movement around the venue. Besides, 10 companies of the Delhi Police will be also be deployed to ensure tight security for the visiting dignitaries. Also NSG sharp-shooters will be deployed near the hotel and on the high-rises along the route taken by the visiting Heads of State and other participants,” said a senior police officer.
The Heads of State of participating countries will start arriving in the city a day before the summit on March 29.
The officer said a three-tier security arrangement would be put in place around Taj Palace where at least two of the Heads of State would stay. “The first and the second layers of security cover will comprise Delhi Police personnel and NSG commands. The third layer will be handled by the senior Delhi Police officers along with Embassy officials,” the officer said, adding that additional Police Control Room vans and ambulances would be deployed near the hotel.
In the wake of the protests by Tibetan activists in the Capital on Monday, the Delhi Police officers are more conscious about the security of Chinese President Hu Jintao. In a related move, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Connaught Place late on Monday evening till March 31 to prevent the protesters from gathering there.
Alleged crackdown on Tibetan activists
Youdon Aukatsang, a member of Tibetan Parliament in exile, alleged crackdown on Tibetan activists in the run-up to the summit. “A large number of Tibetan activists were arrested on Monday and sent to Tihar Central Jail. On Tuesday, the police detained Tenzin Tsundue at India Habitat Centre and Tashi Norbu and Tenzin Paljor at the Press Club of India. Tibetan Youth Congress joint secretary Tenzing Norsang and another leader Tenzin Lobsang have also been detained. Besides, the Tibetan Youth Hostel in Rohini has been sealed and prohibitory orders imposed at Majnu Ka Tila inhabited by the Tibetans. With most of our activists and supporters being detained, we now hope Indian people to come out in our support.”
Meanwhile, the condition of Jamphel Yeshi (26), who had set himself afire at Jantar Mantar here on Monday, continues to be critical. “He has suffered 95 per cent burns and is on a ventilator. His condition is critical,” said Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Medical Superintendent T.S Sidhu.
