Expressed security fears Kalmadi

Commonwealth Games security,

No country has expressed security fears or informed the organisers about pulling out of next month’s Commonwealth Games after Sunday’s firing incident that injured two foreign nationals here, Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said on Monday.

Addressing the media after inaugurating the Main Press Centre of the Games, along with Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Mr. Kalmadi assured the Commonwealth countries that India will ensure safety of all the athletes and officials.

“I have not got a single call from any Commonwealth country expressing apprehensions about security (of the athletes after yesterday’s firing). This (firing) was not a Games related incident. It happened in Jama Masjid and the police are looking into it. It’s not a major incident,” he said.

“As of today all the 71 Commonwealth countries are coming for the Games,” he added.

Countries committed to participate

Asked about United Kingdom and Australia issuing advisory about high security risk during the CWG, Mr. Kalmadi said their respective Commonwealth Games associations have committed to participating in the multi-sporting event.

“Many countries have issued travel advisories earlier also. Australia had earlier issued an advisory but its Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite said its athletes are coming. So what is important is that the Commonwealth Games bodies of the respective countries have committed to participation in the Games,” he said.

He said the government has put in place a tight security arrangement for the Games and it has deployed personnel from the elite commando force of the country to ensure safety of the athletes.

“We have taken all steps to ensure the safety of the athletes. The athletes would be escorted by security personnel right from the airport to the team hotel to the competition venues,” he said.

“Home Ministry and Delhi Police have been taking care of the security arrangements. Special commando units of the National Security Guards (NSG) are also being deployed. There will also be an International Security Liaison office in one of the city hotels,” he added.

The OC chairman said security commanders of Commonwealth countries and chefs-de-mission of all the 71 nations were happy with the security

(source:thehindu.com)