What about our security?

Delhi Police might have claimed they are ready for the Commonwealth Games but as they await delivery of crucial security equipment with less than two months for the Games, the exact security apparatus remains an enigma. See graphics

Delhi Police might have claimed they are ready for the Commonwealth Games but as they await delivery of crucial security equipment with less than two months for the Games, the exact security apparatus remains an enigma.

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On Tuesday, Neil Fergus, an independent security consultant hired by the games federation, raised doubts about the arrangements and said the authorities were behind schedule and “bit slow” in planning and security.

Though the Delhi Police said they have placed orders for all the equipment, that isn’t enough. The police force needs to be trained to handle the equipment.

The 12,000 new recruits, who were specifically hired for the Games, have been provided only three-and-a-half-months of training, whereas the mandatory procedure is 12 months.

In an interview to Hindustan Times, Delhi police chief Y.S Dadwal had said the training provided to the constabulary was sufficient and that even Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cadets undergo only four months of training.

Also, the police have still not found any bidders for providing them 300 escort vehicles. The city police chief decided to pull out the official cars of senior police officers and use them during the Games instead.

The Rs 15.39 crore Command, Control and Coordination Communication Centre (C4i) at police headquarters is yet to come up and even is it does, its eyes, the 57 close circuit televisions cameras (CCTV) to be installed at major marketplaces and border areas in the city, are yet to see the light of day.

The police had planned to link these cameras with the C4i for a centralised monitoring of every happening in the Capital. The security of the common man and the city is as important as that of Games stadias and venues, which have been linked by the cameras. But that will have to wait.

Their advertisement for hiring cooks also did not find any takers. So now cooks, who are serving in the houses of retired policemen and serving officers, have been pulled out to for the Games.

Even the trial runs for dedicated Games lane where only vehicles of delegates would ply is yet to start.

“Every equipment that we require has been either delivered to us or are in the process of being delivered. You name it, we have it. As far as training is concerned, we have tied up with the agencies concerned for the same,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.

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