Stringent security at hotels hosting SAARC heads

Prominent five-star hotels in the capital where the visiting heads of government coming here to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony will stay have been turned into veritable fortresses with hawk-eyed security personnel at vigil.

The five hotels -- Taj Mansingh, ITC Maurya, Taj Palace, Oberoi, and The Leela Palace -- have been placed under a four-layered security blanket.

The hotels will be manned by around 2,000 security personnel.

"The inner two-layered security in the hotels will be provided by the personal security guards of the visiting dignitaries, while a third layer of security would be provided by our paramilitary forces. The outer security will be handled by Delhi Police," a police official told IANS.

The roads leading to these hotels and the nearby high-rise buildings will be kept under the tight vigil of snipers.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is arriving Monday morning, will be staying at the Taj Mansingh. Modi has invited all heads of SAARC member nations to attend his swearing-in.

Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury - the first guest to arrive for the ceremony and deputising for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina - and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will be staying at the ITC Maurya.

The adjacent Taj Palace will play host to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam will stay at the Oberoi, while the Leela Palace will play host to Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The envoys of Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Kenya, Taiwan, Guyana, Denmark, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong, among others, will attend the ceremony.

President Pranab Mukherjee will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Modi Monday evening. Around 4,000 guests will be present on the occasion.

Around 10,000 security men are to provide ground-to-air security around Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, where Modi will take oath.