Amidst massive preparations for International Yoga Day, intelligence agencies have warned of a possible aerial attack. A circular issued by the Intelligence Bureau, a copy of which is available with India Today, said terror organisations may try to create trouble during the main event, which will be held at the national capital’s Rajpath on Sunday, June 21.
Following the IB alert, Delhi Police has banned flying of kites, balloons, glider, micro light objects during the program. Use of drones for aerial photography has also been banned to ensure effective defence measures. Roof-top snippers will be deployed to shoot down any threatening flying object, police officials said.
A Republic Day-like security arrangement has been put in place for the event. The Delhi Police has appointed its top officers for the job. Three-tier security blanket will cover the capital as more than a dozen deputy commissioners and almost three dozen assistant commissioners have been roped in to look after the security arrangements at Rajpath in the heart of the city. Moreover, various commandants and DIGs of paramilitary forces will be in charge of the security at India Gate.
“It will be a mini Republic day for the Delhi Police in terms of security on Yoga Day. The security arrangements will be foolproof as Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other Union ministers will perform yoga for 45 minutes. Also, we are expecting more than 30,000 visitors to India Gate,” a senior Delhi Police official said.
According to sources, the prime minister will flag off the event at Rajpath at 7.00 AM. The exercise is also aimed at creating a Guinness Book record. All the BJP office-bearers, ministers, elected representatives and chief ministers would participate in the event. The party has also directed all its state units to organise the event in each district across the country.
Almost 4,000 police personnel and 1,500 traffic policemen have been roped in for the event. Anti-aircraft weapons will provide air cover to the event following a terror threat and the Indian Air Force will coordinate with security agencies for the same, police said. Delhi Police have also installed CCTV cameras across India Gate, including all the important junctures apart from elaborate sanitisation of the area which has been underway.
