Intelligence Bureau inputs point at 'possible threat' to Anna Hazare's life

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Following inputs by the Intelligence Bureau about a possible threat to social activist Anna Hazare, the police has undertaken the strictest security measures possible.

Apart from a tight CCTV camera cordon around the MMRDA ground in the Bandra-Kurla Complex where Mr. Hazare will hold his hunger strike and metal detectors to screen every entrant, the police has also brought in several companies of the SRPF, the Quick Response Team and the bomb detection and disposal squad.

On Monday, a meeting was held between top police officers to discuss measures to be taken on Tuesday. Police commissioner Arup Patnaik, regional additional commissioner of police Vishwas Nangre-Patil and zonal deputy commissioner of police Satyanarayan Chaudhary were present.

On being asked about the threat perception, police spokesperson DCP Nisar Tamboli said: "Irrespective of a threat, we have to be prepared for the worst and make preparations with all possibilities in mind."

The police has also banned carrying of bags inside the ground, and only cellphones will be allowed inside to eliminate any possible mishaps.

One of the police’s biggest concerns is also the sheer number of people expected to turn up for the event, who will have to be managed in a non-violent manner. Care will also have to be taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to people.

The area of the MMRDA ground provided to India Against Corruption for Mr Hazare’s fast has a seating capacity of 40,000 people. However, a far greater number is expected to turn up, and the IAC has already stated that while they will not call people in large numbers, they will be unable to stop people from turning up on their own.

"There is hardly anything we can do if more people than expected turn up. We shall manage the situation as best as we can," Mr. Tamboli admitted.

Meanwhile, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said: "We appeal to the masses not to come with belongings. There will be two different lines for supporters. If people still come with belongings, one line will be for them as they will have to undergo several security checks. The other line will be for those coming without belongings."

No NOC yet

It has also been revealed that police are still waiting for Team Anna to approach it for permission, as is mandatory by law.

According to police sources, India Against Corruption (IAC) has approached neither the traffic police nor the city police for the requisite permissions and no objection certificates (NOCs) needed before holding the rally.

Both Brijesh Singh, additional commissioner of police, traffic and Pratap Dighavkar, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 9 confirmed that they had not been approached as of Monday evening.

Police sources added that while the fast at the MMRDA ground would be limited to the venue and that the security measures would be limited around the ground, the rally from Juhu to the ground is a bigger security concern.

"We have planned a three-tier security system for the rally. The first tier will consist of policemen on bicycles, while the second tier will have motorcycle borne police officers. The final will consist of a strike force, which will include the armed police in combat vehicles," said Mr Dighavkar.

Mr. Singh added: “Around 200 traffic policemen will be deployed in the Sion, Kurla and Bandra areas. Pedestrians will be encouraged to use skywalks wherever they are available to avoid congestion on the roads.”

Further, the traffic police has also written to the BEST requesting additional services on Tuesday to avoid inconvenience to the people. From a security standpoint, all CCTV cameras covering the route of the rally as well as the MMRDA ground will be monitored round-the-clock," the police said.