Special Task Force for Commonwealth Games security

The Union Home Ministry has decided to create a Special Task Force (STF) for the overall security of the 2010 Commonwealth Games Village and sports venues, considering the vulnerability of the National Capital Region.
    
"The STF would be created from out of the existing resources of Delhi Police for overall security and traffic management," Home Ministry sources said on Sunday.

They said there would be proper coordination between the STF, venue security and Delhi Police for intelligence sharing, reinforcement of human and material sources.

The STF also might have to deal with sudden contingency situations requiring assistance of other civic agencies, central police forces or crisis management centres, they said.

Considering the security scenario of the national capital and the forthcoming Games, the sources pointed out that crowded places of Delhi were the prime targets for terrorist activities.
    
Since the Delhi Metro could be one of the major targets, security was being tightened at all the stations, they said.

Sources said the STF would take action in coordination with Central intelligence agencies to foil activities or plans of anti-social elements having bearing on the security of the Games and the participants.
    
The Home Ministry has sanctioned creation of 5,000 additional posts in Delhi Police, while a proposal for providing equipment for Commonwealth Games was under consideration, they said.
    
For the security of Delhi Metro, which has already been provided CISF cover, a committee has been constituted by the Ministry to assess the manpower and security related requirements of the para-military force, like CCTV or other gadgets.

They said Rs 1.68 crore has been sanctioned for Intelligent Traffic Management System and Rs 32 crore for better communication facilities in the 11th Five Year Plan.

The Delhi Police is in the process of appointing consultants for developing the project details, they said.
    
The Delhi Police has issued guidelines to all agencies owning the venues and sites for ensuring construction-stage security, they said, adding that private security firms could be hired for the purpose. However, the police will conduct security checks from time to time, the sources said.

In the backdrop of the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, the Home Ministry earlier this month reviewed the security arrangements for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and favoured monitoring the Games village even during
construction.

The authorities are mulling tighter security arrangements by ensuring intensified vigil at vantage spots -- especially the accommodations of players and spectators, sources said.
    
Senior officials are of the view that terrorists could use this opportunity to play some mischief, a fear expressed by a Parliamentary Committee, which found serious lapses in preparations for the mega sporting event.