Delhi Police imposed Section 144 on Monday around the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), New Delhi. They also banned drones and laser beams in the funnel area that falls within the flight path to the airport. The restrictions are a day before the Lok Sabha 2024 elections on June 4, when the results will be announced.
According to ANI news agency, sources claim that the IGI airport was opened up for VVIP aircraft movements in advance of major political developments and the swearing-in ceremony of India’s next Prime Minister. The restrictions are in effect from June 1 through July 30 (including the two dates).
Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) have noted a number of incidents where drones or laser beams were used around New Delhi Airport. These cases distracted pilots and created safety concerns.
It has been discovered that many farms, houses banquets hotels restaurants etc. In and around IGI Airport, a number of farms, houses, banquets, hotels, restaurants, etc., have been built where a lot lights, including lasers, are used to celebrate marriages, parties, and other events. This is a nuisance in general, and causes vision distraction for the pilots.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems were also mentioned as a possible target for terrorists in India.
The safety and security concerns of the government, the public, and the human race are serious. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), both from the perspective of aviation safety, as well as terrorist threats. The order states that “it is important to take swift action to stop the dangerous threat mentioned above.”
Delhi Police has made elaborate preparations for the Lok Sabha election 2024 count day, and is ready to ensure adequate security at all counting centers.
Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the day of vote counting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2020. Around 70 companies will be deployed on the 4th of June during the counting process at the seven counting centers in Delhi,” said the Delhi Police.
The day before the count, Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner held a presser and assured the public of the robustness in the counting process.
The whole counting process is robust. It’s a system that is unique. Each part is determined. The entire process is codified. Microobservers have been deployed. This process cannot be messed up. During the largest count in history, thousands of people were present, including counting agents, counting officials, ROs/AROs and observers. EVMs are randomly generated before the election. “All candidates and agents were in the booth to see who was there,” he said.