[ Security Tight for Commonwealth Games –NTDTV ]
The world is holding its breath as organisers of the XIX Commonwealth Games (CWG) maintain everything is in order. Meanwhile, qualifying athletes for the New Delhi-hosted games have pulled out from across the globe due to concerns over the stability of buildings and infrastructure, and fears of terrorism.
The concern is no longer whether the games will go ahead, but whether they will be mired by security or safety issues. Over 3,100 athletes are in Delhi awaiting their events, as they continue to arrive in their hundreds; India continues to tighten its security.
Trained langur monkeys have been deployed on picket lines to protect the athletes from wild animals. Beggars have been rounded up, and 80,000 police and 20,000 paramilitaries are protecting the venues and the immediate city.
Dirty accommodation, shoddy construction and security fears top the list of complaints from Athletes.
Meanwhile, an army of cleaners are reported to be at work in the athletes' village that will house 6,500 athletes. The surrounding area is being sprayed to prevent dengue fever.
Construction
A bridge and buildings, constructed at an admittedly lower standard than in the western world, have collapsed in recent weeks.
Reports claim that 16 structures have yet to be retested since the Central Vigilance Commission, India's foremost watchdog, found two months back that safety certificates were forged to cover up corner-cutting and the use of substandard materials.
The venues for squash, hockey, diving, boxing, badminton and the practice rugby stadium, as well as roads leading to the main Nehru stadium, are believed to be vulnerable, reports UK tabloid The Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, the hosts are “satisfied” with standards and safety, while the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) insists everything is in order as building and fitting out of the facilities continues–including fixing “certain problems.”
Terrorist Threat
“There is a high risk of terrorist attack in New Delhi," DFAT warns in their travel bulletin. "Since 2000, there have been at least 14 major terrorist attacks in New Delhi on locations such as markets, train stations and other public places. These attacks have caused hundreds of deaths and injuries."
“We continue to receive reporting that terrorists plan to attack public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities.”
Unconfirmed documents, which allegedly come from the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation, special forces branch, have surfaced in Pakistan. They are headed “top secret” and “strictly confidential” and name two militant groups which aim to carry out terrorist attacks against the athletes and other international visitors to the Games, reported the UK’s Telegraph.
Trained Monkeys
Ten trained langur monkeys, which are very territorial, have been added to the city’s 28 to see off wildlife.
Wildlife has been a major problem for the Games before it has even started, with stray dogs in venues and a king cobra in the South African team's residence, while another snake was caught in the tennis complex.
Wild gangs of rhesus monkeys are reported to have been stealing from rooms in the athletes' village.
Beggars
New Delhi’s Chief Commissioner denies they are hiding away beggars and slum dwellers, reports ABC.
There is a Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, which applies in Delhi, making it a punitive offense to beg. Mobile courts with a magistrate on board can go around and pick up beggars. They were very badly treated and some are locked away for one or three years, the report explained.
Games Opening
Prince Charles will open the Delhi Commonwealth Games. An official statement from Clarence House, the Prince Charles's London residence, stated the Prince would read out the Queen's baton message, ending by declaring the Games open on Sunday Sept. 3.
There had been a strong push by India to go against the traditional opening by a British Royal, proposing president Pratibha Devisingh Patil should open the Games. Instead she is expected to say: “Let the Games begin” after the royal declaration.
