New Delhi, April 8
Due to disruptions during the Olympic torch relay in London, Paris and protests ahead of its arrival in San Fransisco, the Indian government is ensuring foolproof security for the Olympic torch here on April 17. The ministry of home affairs is in regular contact with the Delhi Police to ensure proper arrangements to maintain law and order during the relay. The MHA is tight-lipped on the route of the relay. “It is for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take a call on this. Our job is to provide security.”
A final decision on the security arrangements along the proposed route will be taken in a meeting to be chaired by national security adviser M.K. Narayanan. The meeting will also be attended by the Union home secretary, the Director, IB, and the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Intelligence sources said there was no fixed plan yet on the deployment of the National Security Guards or any additional forces on April 17. “As of now, we only know the day of the relay. The IOA is yet to suggest the time,” sources said.
The IOA president, Suresh Kalmadi, and its secretary-general Randhir Singh are in Beijing to attend the meeting of the Association of National Olympics Committees. They were expected to return on April 10 and then finalise the route in consultation with intelligence and security agencies.
