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Home ministry letter lays down R-Day security measures

MHA directives after intelligence agencies raised concerns of possible terror attacks through micro-light and unmanned aircraft

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Drones can be a threat to Republic Day parade
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As central intelligence agencies raised concerns of probable terror attacks through micro-light aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Delhi, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to Chief Secretaries and respective Director Generals of Police (DGP) and the Commissioners of Police in eight states, and Delhi as well.

The letter has stated measures by which the threat from light aircraft, including hand gliders and micro-light aircraft, can be best handled ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in the Capital.

"Operations of light or micro-light aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and similar long range aerial vehicles should be prohibited within 300 kms around Delhi for specific time periods on Republic Day, At Home at President's House, and Beating Retreat. Only state owned light aircraft flying Governor or Chief Minister of a state are exempted from the restriction," the letter stated.

It added that in sensitive locations such as Vijay Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Rajpath the use of airborne cameras, drones should be prohibited during the restriction period on January 26 to 29.

The letter also asked the police to intensify highway patrolling as the aerial vehicles and light aircraft may not necessarily be operated from the airport but from any other unprepared ground as well.

It also stated that specific directions may be issued to the state police to ensure that no person could assemble micro-light aircraft at their residences, inhabitant buildings and secluded places.

"The Delhi Police and Indian Air Force (IAF) should activate the 'SOP' for handling threats from Sub-Divisional Aerial platforms in Delhi."

The letter issued guidelines to be followed for keeping surveillance and positioning of special security guards at recognised airfields to check that no light or micro-light aircraft, handglider and helicopter except those security helicopters especially cleared is allowed to fly or even to start between the hours on Republic Day, At home at President's House and Beating Retreat.

It directed all the states and union territories to keep a check on all all helicopters, light/micro aircraft and hand-gliders from the duration of January 18 to 31,2018, so that in case any of these go missing it is reported immediately.

On Saturday, the Delhi Police issued an order prohibiting operations of any unmanned aircraft systems by the public from January 9 for a month as part of security preparations ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

THE GUIDELINES

  • Operations of light or micro-light aircraft and UAVs should be prohibited within 300 kms around Delhi for specific time periods on R-Day
     
  • Only state-owned light aircraft flying Governor or the CM of a state are exempted from the restrictions
     
  • Use of air-borne cameras, drones banned in sensitive areas between January 26 and 29
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