Shooting Range transforms into Fort Knox for CWG
The outer periphery of south Delhi has a new fortress. It isn’t as daunting as the one in its backdrop — the Tughlakabad Fort , but Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range is as fiercely guarded as any medieval fort may have been during its glorious years.
The outer periphery of south Delhi has a new fortress. It isn’t as daunting as the one in its backdrop — the Tughlakabad Fort , but Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range is as fiercely guarded as any medieval fort may have been during its glorious years.
The narrow Suraj Kund Road leading up to the range has security personnel patrolling on jeeps, bikes and on foot. Add to that, machine gun-wielding security personnel stationed in makeshift barracks every hundred meters and one can easily mistake the shooting event taking place on the outer periphery itself.
Movement of traffic has not been stopped here but stopping vehicles anywhere on this stretch of road may invite security forces to take pot-shots.
“This is a zero tolerance zone and I cannot let you halt or click pictures. Please understand the sensitivity of the location,” a police stationed at the main gate told HT on Monday.
Given that CWG shooters are depositing arms and ammunitions here daily, his argument seemed justified.
The entire range has come under a four-tier security blanket on three of its sides (the fourth having a walled drop on the fort side). Iron barricades have cordoned off the main gate while temporary towers have been erected here and behind every other entrance. This has two security personnel deployed in them who have a bird’s eye view within as well as outside the range. This after Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S Dadwal expressed his satisfaction with the current security arrangements in place.
"As far as we are concerned, we are fully prepared. Delhi Police is trained, ready and positioned. I am satisfied," he said.
As for tourists who would like to get a glimpse of the much-acclaimed range, there is absolutely no chance of sneaking a peek till 3rd October when the shooting event kicks off. Till then, enthusiasts and commuters alike would be better off avoiding this stretch.