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Indian security in the dark over Clinton's visit

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

After the initial bonhomie, Indian security and intelligence agencies are finding themselves at the periphery of security detail and discussion tables over American President Bill Clinton's visit.

At Maurya Sheraton, where Clinton is expected to stay, the closest a Delhi policeman has managed to reach is the outer gate. While Delhi police personnel, staying across the gate in temporary tents, make do with dal-roti for the night, the Marines have virtually taken over the hotel. They are all over -- on the lawns, at the reception, in the pool too.

The Indian agencies have also been denied permission to be anywhere near the Chandragupta suite, where the American president would be staying.

At Palam airport, Indian Air Force personnel who are providing security within the technical area where President Clinton would land and take off, have formed a circle much outside the hangar, within which the American helicopters are under the protection of marines, both women and men.

At the American embassy, too, the situation is no better. The Delhi police PCR van is outside, so are a few tents housing the Indian constables.

Sources in the Intelligence agencies and local police admit they have "no idea" of what the American security agencies are up to. Admits a senior intelligence agency official, "Initially they used to ask us several queries. Now, we have no idea, they seem to know more about Delhi than our men. Once in a while they contact us, that too over very petty matters."

This ignorance of the American perception is visible in the recent, and only, communication from the intelligence set-up to the Delhi police, detailing the possible attacks against President Clinton. While this is being passed off as a specialised assessment of the threat to Clinton, the truth is, such assessment is routinely handed over to the Delhi police by intelligence agencies whenever a VIP reaches the capital. Even the wording of the letter this time, is not very different from those written in the past.

It has identified the following ways by which President Clinton could be attacked: Underground mines on the routes and venues; explosives below manholes, using junction boxes and telephone poles for planting explosives; sniper attacks and rocket launchers, remote controlled unmanned aerial vehicles planted with explosives; human and car bombs.

While the Delhi police and intelligence agencies are going all out to secure Clinton's visit, the US officials are not even allowing their Indian counterparts a sneak preview of what they are doing to local security officials.

Of the four rings of security to be formed around Clinton, the Delhi police would only be involved in the outermost one. Which effectively means manning routes that Clinton would take and securing the roads leading to venues and hotels where he would be present.

The Delhi police has already decided to keep both the carriageways free of traffic while Clinton moves around. Halting the traffic on both sides of the road is something the Indian agencies have not done even for their own President and prime minister.

The National Security Guards have also been put on high alert. The NSG has been carrying out drills in the capital, finding out how to react in case of a hijack or similar emergency. The NSG would be on standby throughout the time Clinton is in India.

Despite the highest level of security the local agencies are putting in place, the Americans are leaving nothing to chance. Or to the Indians.

Indian agencies also have hardly had any interaction with the Americans, who have come to India by the plane-loads. Already more than 50 transport sorties have been flown between the two countries, to bring in several tonnes of equipment. They have also brought their own generators, about 25 bullet proof vehicles and would even be having their own lines of communication. VSNL and MTNL will not be getting a piece of the pie.

At the airport, the Marines have brought even their own trollies and trucks, besides five helicopters (twin engine CH-53s) which would be accompanying Clinton on his chopper flights.

A senior Delhi police official said, "We find ourselves in a strange situation. In our own territory we have almost been denied knowledge of what is happening."

CLINTON VISITS INDIA :The complete coverage

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