Mumbai, July 17: Armed and unarmed, undercover and in uniform, several hundred policemen and women have thrown a security blanket around the spots US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit after her arrival on Friday.
At Taj Mahal Hotel, where she will stay, the police and hotel authorities will check the antecedents of all guests. “Details of guests who have recently checked in, those already staying at the hotel, and those who will check in over the next two days will be checked.
The credentials of and background information on hotel staff, like housekeeping, will also be verified. Her food will also be checked,” a police official said.
Senior police officials refused to give the specifics of the security arrangements, saying it is “sensitive information”, but did disclose that the responsibility for round-the-clock security is being shared by the Mumbai Police, State Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force, and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad.
The last of these has set up bomb detection devices at several locations. Also in place are electronic surveillance units at the hotel and places she will visit.
The police said Clinton’s security is top priority not only because of her high profile but also because she will stay at one of the sites attacked on 26/11.
“Be it during her stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel or meetings with dignitaries and members of the public, her security will not be compromised. Explosive detectors have been installed at the hotel and elaborate anti-sabotage checks will be conducted periodically. Electronic surveillance has also been stepped up, and the entire hotel will be monitored through closed circuit cameras,” said a senior police officer.
Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandan said, “Our officers are in touch with the US Consulate and the best of security will be provided to Hillary Clinton. However, details of the arrangements are not finalised since her programme has not been drawn up yet; we are yet to receive the final programme.
Our best attempts are always aimed at not making any traffic diversions, but it all depends on the need of the hour. As far as security is concerned, when Bill Clinton visited the city everything went off smoothly. It will be the same during Hillary Clinton’s visit.”
–Agencies