Now Reading: 20,000 personnel, 1,000 cameras: Delhi girds Red Fort for I-Day
-
01
20,000 personnel, 1,000 cameras: Delhi girds Red Fort for I-Day
Delhi Police has deployed around 15,000 to 20,000 security personnel at the Red Fort for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address on August 15. DCP North Raja Banthia said the force…
The Story in Brief
Delhi Police has deployed around 15,000 to 20,000 security personnel at the Red Fort for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address on August 15. DCP North Raja Banthia said the force includes Delhi Police units, paramilitary companies, commandos, NSG 'hit teams', snipers, and an NDRF contingent. Quick Reaction Teams will man watchtowers and strategic points.
Over 1,000 CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition, number plate recognition, and intrusion detection systems have been installed. Anti-drone systems are active, and some personnel will wear body-worn cameras. The Economic Times reports that Delhi Police and NSG also conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise, 'Sudarshan Shakti-V', simulating blasts, hostage situations, and a hijacking at locations including Connaught Place and IGI Airport.
The Indian Opinion
The visible security buildup around the Red Fort every August is necessary, but the scale, 20,000 personnel, 1,000 cameras, anti-drone systems, also reflects a permanent siege mentality. Ordinary Indians want to celebrate I-Day without feeling they are attending a fortress. The test is not the drill but the daily reality: will the same intelligence-sharing and tech deployment protect crowded markets and railway stations all year round? That is the number that matters, the ratio of drills to actual prevention.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
