The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Tight security for military games

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Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Tight security for military games

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Blast has echo at top-level meet

HYDERABAD: The Mecca Masjid bomb blast of May 18 had their echo at the review meetings of top Defence Ministry officials for this year's 4th Military World Games (October 14 to 21). And, more importantly, Lt. Gen. Aditya Singh, General Officer, Commanding in-Chief, Southern Command, feels that the Games are obviously being treated as a vulnerable phase for any type of anti-social elements, terrorists and mischief-makers out to create panic among the public.

"With the prestige of the country and the Indian Defence Forces at stake in view of the magnitude of the Games, which also features athletes from some of the `targeted' countries, we are in the process of working out detailed plans of action to ensure that nothing untoward happens," said Lt. Gen. Aditya Singh after another round of meetings here on Monday.

Tough measures

"By all means, we will be having a multi-tiered security apparatus in place with special cover for `likely targets', he remarked. Each venue will have a special security set-up headed by a senior officer with the central control room in Taramati monitoring every movement of the athletes and the officials. The anti-terrorist special squads will be in place too. "The main concern will be the logistics involved in the whole exercise. . More crucial for us will be the security factor for all the athletes, officials and even for the spectators who will have free entry at all venues," he explained.Traffic chaos is another issue which the top Defence officials discussed threadbare. "We are hoping for a smooth and satisfying journey during the Games," Lt.Gen.Aditya Singh said.

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