New Delhi, November 15
Security of nearly 8,000 athletes who will be here for the Commonwealth Games 2010 is a primary concern for the authorities making preparations for the mega sporting event being hosted by India.
New Delhi has sought the assistance of Britain and other major world powers in sharing their experiences with India for providing foolproof security to the athletes.
According to high-placed sources, India and Britain are discussing security preparedness of the Indian agencies in eliminating any possible terrorist threat during the games. Particular emphasis was being laid on ensuring security of the mass rapid transit system (MRTS), particularly the metro rail service.
The counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries figured prominently in discussions between British Metropolitan Commissioner Paul Stephenson and his Indian interlocutors during his stay in Mumbai and Delhi. Stephenson
had yesterday met Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal.
The sources said Britain was sharing with India the security measures it had put in place after the audacious 2005 tube train terrorist attacks in London in July 2005. London also wanted to know from India the measures that it was taking for the safety of the athletes. Britain will be sending a large contingent for the games. Britain also is facing a situation somewhat similar to the challenge that India faces since the 2012 Olympics are to be held in London.
The sources disclosed that during his talks with Indian security experts, Stephenson told them in detail about Britain’s ‘Operation Overt’, a conspiracy to commit mass murder by using improvised explosive devices on transatlantic airliners. It was one of the largest investigations the British authorities had dealt with till date.
Triggered by the arrest of a suspect in Pakistan, the British authorities made 24 arrests in August 2006, 17 of which were charged with a total of 30 offences. Enquiries were undertaken in the US, South Africa, Mauritius and Belgium.
He impressed upon the Indian authorities that good working relationship among international security agencies was now more vital than ever in meeting the threat of terrorism, which was a menace that has now engulfed almost the entire globe.
