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Security overkill at Pope's venues

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, near Gole Dak Khana in Delhi, where Pope John Paul II is due to address the concluding session of the Synod of Asian Bishops has been virtually turned into a fortress.

More then five hundred security personnel belonging to the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing apart from policemen of the security wing of the Delhi police have sealed the place to ensure that no unwanted person gains entry.

Metal detectors have been installed to screen the visitors. Those attending the function may have to undergo personal physical checks. The security personnel have also pressed in their dog squad to check for explosive devices.

Yesterday, similar arrangements had been made for Pope John Paul II when he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International airport. Only selected persons were allowed to welcome him.

"There is nothing abnormal about the security which has been thrown in for the VVIP," said a senior functionary of the Delhi police when contacted on phone.

Mediapersons had a taste of the extremely stringent security when they were told that the passes issued to them by the ministry of external affairs were valid only for other venues and not for the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Even the personal photographer of Reverend Alan de Lastic, the Archbishop of Delhi, Parveen Miranda was not allowed to take pictures of the Pope at Rajghat where His Holiness laid a wreath on the grave of the father of the nation. A frantic Miranda called up Father Dominic's office to bail him out of the tight situation but not even their intervention had any effect on the security personnel.

"Prime Minister Vajpayee and Home Minister Advani have issued strict instructions about the level of security to be provided to Pope John Paul II during his visit to India. We are giving him the security which is normally provided to a head of state. Hence there is nothing unusual about our security drill," a senior intelligence official told rediff.com.

But what is strange is that the entire route which the Pope is likely to take from the Vatican Embassy to the Sacred Heart Cathedral has also been sealed with policemen posted almost shoulder-to-shoulder along the seven kilometres-long route. The security arrangements for the Pope's public appearance at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and at Vigyan Bhavan are also likely to be of the highest order.

The Pope's Visit

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