Asom on high alert as National Games begin

Guwahati, Feb 9: Unprecedented security has been put in place forthe gala opening ceremony of the National Games to be inaugurated byUPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today.

Authorities have taken all possible steps, including theinstallation of closed circuit TV cameras and deployment of dog squadsand bomb disposal teams to ensure that the Games go off without anyhitches.

Highly trained sniffer dogs are being used on duty as part of aspecial squad to trace explosives inside and outside of the newlyconstructed Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium at Sarusajai, at theoutskirts of the city.

National Games security sources said 1,200 personnel from Asompolice battalions and 29 additional companies of paramilitary forceswere deployed in and around Guwahati during the event.

IGP A K Mallick, in-charge of National Games security, issupervising security arrangements within 500 metres of venues withstate police taking charge of other areas.

The Asom government has formed a special committee headed byAdditional Chief Secretary N K Das to oversee the securityarrangements. Guwahati's traffic police have unveiled a special plan tocontrol traffic and avoid jams, which enhance security risks, officialssaid.

Spectators are passing through several security gates and trafficbarriers before entering any venue for the opening ceremony. Cargovehicles were barred from entering the city and diverted via NationalHighway 37 at Jagiroad and Baihata Chariali, officials said.

A total of 350 additional traffic police personnel have been deployed around the Games' venues to monitor traffic movement.

Thirty-seven parking lots have been created on either side of the National highway.

UNI

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