JOIN USRamlila Maidan under close watch
Over 2,000 Delhi Police personnel along with paramilitary forces will be deployed in and around central Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to ensure security for Aam Aadmi Party convener and chief minister designate Arvind Kejriwal’s oath-taking ceremony on Saturday.
Preparations for foolproof security are on in full swing since Wednesday.
Police have been deployed at the venue since Wednesday, while Central Reserve Police Force joined in on Thursday. According to sources, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs and rapid action force will also be responsible for security.
“We have taken extra measures expecting high turnout as thousands of people will be planning to be part of the ceremony,” a police officer said.
However, there will be only one gate for entry-exit of VIPs, and five gates for general public. Apart from Kejriwal and L-G Najeeb Jung, senior members of AAP and other political parties are expected to attend the function. To monitor the venue and keep a check on suspicious activities, around 24 CCTV cameras will be installed. A control room has been set up within the premises to monitor CCTV footage.
“It will also be monitored at the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar and Delhi Police headquarters at ITO,” sources added. Crowd management will also be a concern as around 40,000 people can be accommodated at Ramlila Maidan. Police, however, are not making any estimate on the number of people expected to attend the ceremony.
“The event is expected to last for an hour and primary concern would be to avoid stampede,” a source said.
Police officers will be deployed in plain clothes among the crowd to keep a tab on suspicious persons. Apart from police of central district, personnel from other districts will be posted in the area. Delhi Traffic Police have also planned special arrangements to minimise traffic.
Senior Delhi Police officers had first visited Ramlila Maidan on Monday to review security. The officers included Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deepak Mishra, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Tajendra Luthra and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Alok Kumar.
The Public Works Department has been setting up public address systems and LCD screens, while the municipal corporation is overseeing seating arrangements and setting up mobile toilets.