Security blanket thrown over CYG venue

Pune, Oct 10 (UNI) A security blanket has been thrown in and around the Shiv Chattrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi for the third edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games, to be held from October 12 to 18.

With the President Pratibha Patil set to inaugurate the CYG on October 12, the police and security personnel are taking no chances and have turned the venue into a fortress.

Two platoons of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and officers of the National Security Guard (NSG) have been stationed here to take stock of the arrangements. The city police bomb disposal squad and sniffer dog 'Chetak' will also keep a round-the clock vigil, Additional Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane told UNI here today.

Meanwhile, the city Police Commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh told newspersons here yesteerday that there is no threat information from intelligence and they were fully prepared to meet any eventuality during the games. He said around 7,000 policemen will be deployed during the inaugural and valedictory ceremonies of the CYG.

He also added that they have also demanded a further enforcement of 300 more security officials from outside the city. Along with this the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and paramilitary forces will also be deployed.

The spectators during the inaugural and closing ceremonies, will not be allowed to carry their mobile phones, cameras, water bottles, etables and match boxes. Vehicular traffic going towards the stadium will be thorugly checked and nakabandi points have already been identified, Mr Singh said.

The police have marked four parking lots near the stadium and citizen are requested to park their vehicles there. Special buses will also be provided from the parking lot to the stadium.

UNI SP/GS RN SHB DS1336