Tight Security Arrangements in place for Obama Visit
Tight security arrangements have been made in the capital and other parts of the country following visit of US President Barak Obama. He will reach New Delhi on 25 January, to attend Republic Day Parade as Chief Guest on 26 January. Today, President Barack Obama headed to India the White House called it a “genuine honour” and said he was very interested in injecting a new energy and vitality into the US-India relationship. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh the other day said maximum security arrangements were being made for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India.
Obama is likely to stay at Grand Presidential or Chandragupta suite and entire ITC Maurya has been booked for President and his staff. US President’s security team has taken over ITC Maurya Sheraton Hotel from January 20 and it would be sealed till his departure. The members of security agencies US Secret Service and the federal law enforcement agency have already arrived in India prior and beefed-up security in the areas, where President is scheduled to stay.
It is noteworthy that, US President Obama would be seated in open on Rajpath for Republic Day Parade for more than two hours. Considering this, security measures have been further tightening in the capital. US security officials have been conducting several meetings on the aspects of President’s security during the Parade in Delhi and his visit to Agra.
Snipers and commandos are being deployed in every building within a radius of two kilometers in New Delhi district. Following Obama’s visit, government offices in the vicinity of Raisina Hill were closed from Friday till his departure and Rajpath will be closed for public from today evening. In a moved to have fool-proof security to the President, US Marines and other special forces to accompany him during the visit.
Barack Obama’s visit to Taj Mahal in Agra on January 27 has been cancelled, government sources said on Saturday, hours before the US President was to board Air Force One for his visit to India.