Prohibitory orders ahead of swearing-in

 Prohibitory orders are in place in New Delhi area till Tuesday even as 6,000 security personnel will keep a hawk-eyed vigil on the swearing-in ceremony of India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. 

The ground-to-air security system for the ceremony will be similar to that placed during the Republic Day parade, said police on Sunday. 

An air defence system to secure the skies has been put in place by the Indian Air Force. Snipers will be deployed at all high-rise buildings around the Rashtrapati Bhavan hours before the ceremony which is scheduled to begin at 6 pm. 

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), mobile hit teams, paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos will be securing the area. The National Security Guard (NSG) commandoes will be on duty to provide the inner layer of security. While dog squads and bomb-disposal squads have already sanitized the venue, police said they will be repeating the drill on Monday. 

“Prohibitory orders have been put in place in New Delhi district. Full air defence grid is in place. Any airborne activity, including the presence of hot air balloons, will not be allowed. We are on guard against terror act," said Mukesh Kumar Meena, the Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi). 

The sanitization of all buildings around Rashtrapati Bhavan, which include the North Block, South Block and defence buildings, will be done after they are shut down at 1 pm on Monday. Buildings such as Rail Bhavan and Air Force Headquarters, which are close to the venue, will have spotters over them. 

Special traffic restrictions are in place for the ceremony. Several roads close to the venue will be closed between 4 pm and 8 pm on Monday. 

"Only official vehicles and bonafide residents will be allowed in the restricted areas. Till the time all invitees leave the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the security blanket will be operational," said Meena. 

Full security measures are in place also for the bilateral talks that are scheduled for Tuesday. Nearly 4,000 guests, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will be attending the ceremony.