Canadian sports officials and athletes are expressing concern over the latest wave of terror threats to hit India which is preparing to host this year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Despite the concern, most are confident that India will stage a safe and secure event which is expected to attract more than 4,000 world-class athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories, competing in 17 different sports.
“Sure there is some concern, but India has assured our officials that all security arrangements are being taken,” said a Commonwealth Canada Games officials, who requested anonymity.
“Our athletes and their families are kept up to date on security arrangements and we are confident that this will be one of the best games ever,” he said.
The official admitted that Commonwealth Games Canada are reviewing security arrangements all the time given the changing nature of terror threats in India.
One athlete training for the games said he has talked to members of the Canadian field hockey team which was recently in India for the World Cup.
“The hockey team was impressed with the security arrangements…they had a private floor in a top hotel and there was heavy police presence…they felt safe,” he said.
“I am assured by this,” he said in a telephone interview from Toronto.
Canada, which finished third overall at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia, will send approximately 400 athletes, coaches, and volunteers, to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in October. It will be the largest multi-sport event in the world this year.
Latest intelligence reports have prompted Canada to join the US and Australia in warning of an imminent terrorist attack in India, particularly in market areas in the capital New Delhi.
Issuing a travel advisory, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “Credible and specific reporting indicates that a terrorist attack could be carried out in the following days or weeks in market areas of Delhi frequented by foreigners, specifically in the Chandni Chowk area in Old Delhi.”
Urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution, the advisory said they should be watchful about their surroundings and minimize their presence in market areas of the city.
The Canadian advisory follows similar warnings last weekend by the missions of the US and Australia in India, cautioning their nationals against visiting certain parts of the country.
Listing attacks in Andhra Pradesh since early December 2009, the Canadian advisory said “a number of protests and strikes have been taking place in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Several of these, in the vicinity of Osmania University in Hyderabad, have turned violent.
“Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities.”
It adds: “Terrorist attacks have occurred throughout India, often taking the form of remotely detonated bomb blasts in crowded markets of major centres at peak shopping time in the early evening.
“The latest attack took place outside a cricket stadium in Bangalore on April 17, 2010. On February 13, 2010, a crowded bakery popular among tourists in Pune was the target of an attack that killed nine people and injured dozens, including several foreigners.”
In an email circulated last Saturday morning to registered Canadians living in India, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade wrote: “While there is a continuing threat of terrorist attacks throughout India at all times, credible and specific reporting indicates that a terrorist attack could be carried in the following days or weeks, in market areas of Delhi frequented by foreigners.”
In its advisory, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “You should be particularly conscious of security considerations in the vicinity of key government installations and tourist sites.”
Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna appealed to the people to be vigilant following the fresh terror advisory. “I appeal to people to be vigilant when they go out in crowded places, shopping complexes and markets,” said Khanna.
Over the past few days, policemen in civies and uniform were seen guarding the roads in the popular Connaught Place in Delhi.
Khan Market, a shopping place in central Delhi popular with foreign tourists, was given extra deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, said Sanjiv Mehra, president of the Khan Market Association.
“The Delhi Police gave us an advisory yesterday and asked us to be on high alert,” Mehra told IANS.
New Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal said successful completion of events like the Commonwealth Shooting Championship, Hockey World Cup and World Archery Championship in Delhi prove that all security arrangements are in place for a safe Commonwealth Games 2010.
“We had a series of trial games and seven Indian Premier League (IPL) games in Delhi which went fine. This proves that our security arrangements are in place,” he said.
The sport delegations and security experts have all appreciated the security arrangements in place for the games, he added.
“We are planning a safe and secure Commonwealth Games,” Dadwal added.
He refused to comment when asked about security advisories issued by the Canada, US and Australian embassies here to their citizens to be cautious about visiting popular markets in Delhi.
Meanwhile, popular Delhi markets including Connaught Place have been advised by police to remain closed on the opening and closing days of the Commonwealth Games in October and instead remain open on their weekly day off.
The Delhi Police advisory is part of the security arrangements for the Oct 3-14 Games here.
The opening and the closing ceremonies of the Games, on Oct 3 and 14 respectively, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in south Delhi.
Khan Market is located only two kilometres from the stadium.