High security at AIIMS

A high security ring was thrown around the prestigious AIIMS hospital where prime minister Manmohan Singh is undergoing a complex bypass surgery.

Though gun-toting and lathi-wielding security personnel maintained a hawk eye on every nook and corner of the hospital from vantage points, it was strictly ensured that the patients and their attendants faced no inconvenience following instructions by the PMO.

"I wish the PM an early recovery. My sister is admitted here and I am just coming back from the Hanuman temple where I went to pray for her. PM sahab was also a part of my prayer," says 23-year-old Satnam Singh while entering the hospital.

While no one is being stopped or checked while entering the huge hospital campus, those entering the Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery Unit (CVTS), where Singh is undergoing the operation, have to show specially issued I-cards before entering.

During the night, the waiting room just adjacent to the CVTS had become full and hence many attendants had come out with the beddings and slept outside.

In the morning, Special Protection Group (SPG), guarding the prime minister, asked all those outside to move back inside.

The only other restriction being imposed is that no person is allowed to stand or make groups around CVTS.
    
"No one is being stopped from moving around but yes they are restricted from forming groups or standing around the CVTS keeping security in mind," an official said on condition of anonymity.

Bhuvan Lal, an attendant, said, "We all understand that security for the PM is important and that some terrorists can try to make mischief by coming here as an attendant or a relative. The best part is that we are not being pushed away like normally the police does when mantris(ministers) come."
    
A three-layer security is in place for the prime minister.
    
The outer layer is being guarded by the personnel from both Delhi Police and Central Reserve Paramilitary Force(CRPF). The second layer is under the command of the commandos from the Delhi Police as well as from other paramilitary forces. The inner circle is being completely looked after by SPG personnel numbering about 35-40.
    
In total, about 150-200 security personnel are directly involved in providing security to the 76-year-old leader.

Outside the hospital, traffic police too have taken positions to ensure a smooth traffic flow.
    
The media, however, is not being allowed in.