Tight security for Military Games

HYDERABAD: Players from America and its allied countries will be treated as special category from security point of view at the Fourth Military World Games beginning here from Sunday.

This additional security coverage to sportspersons from these countries, including those taking took part in the Iraq war, is being provided against the backdrop of increased threat perception due to recent terror strikes in the country by some religious fundamentalist organisations.

“Despite the threat perception, no country withdrew from the Games and teams from all the 107 countries which confirmed their participation earlier are coming here,” Cyberabad Police Commissioner S. Prabhakar Reddy said here.

With over 10,000 police personnel, including the Cyberabad police force, every inch of all the venues for the games, accommodation buildings and the routes has been screened. Even airborne security coverage is being provided using four military helicopters that would keep tab on the games festival.

The National Security Guards will assist the police and the military officials in this regard.

The IML and IIIT Guest Houses at Gachibowli are earmarked for ‘Safe Houses’ to shift the VVIPs in case of any emergency.

Claiming that ‘world-class’ security measures are being put in place, Mr. Reddy said no person would be allowed to get inside the venue without security screening. Entry is strictly by invitation and no one can walk into the venues during any time of the games festival. Except mobile phone, no spectator would be allowed to bring any article, even water bottles.

“They objects you bring along would have to be dumped outside if you want to go inside. We wouldn’t guarantee safety of those items,” the Commissioner said. Unlike other functions, there would be no relaxations with regard to timings for entry into the venues.

The spectators would not be allowed if they are late even by one minute for the ‘last time for parking and last time for seating.’

Road opening parties, posting of armed guards on roof top, installation of surveillance cameras at strategic places, checking by anti-sabotage teams and sniffer dogs would be used extensively as part of the security arrangements.