Indian authorities have deployed nearly 100,000 police officers across the city and are putting fighter jets on standby for potential terrorist attacks.

In a bizarre move, they have even deployed a contingent of large black-faced langur monkeys at the Commonwealth Games venues in order to scare away smaller simians.

The Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 that killed 166 people remain a clear reminder for many Indians of the dangers presented at the Games.

Security problems resurfaced in the last few weeks, with high profile several athletes - including England’s triple jump world champion Phillips Idowu and Australian discus world champion Dani Samuels - pulling out following a recent shooting at a tourist site in Delhi.

However, Indian officials say they are confident they could foil any plan to attack the Games or the capital.

New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said: “We have no concerns, no cause of panic.

"We have elaborate security arrangements and we are ready to meet any kind of eventuality."

However, security plans have been complicated by the fact that a court verdict, scheduled for today, will be made over a holy site in the city of Ayodhya.

Ayodhya has been the subject of a 60-year legal battle between Hindus and Muslims who both lay claim to the site.

Believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu God Ram, fights over the city have caused thousands of deaths over the years.

 

The Indian High Court is now set to finally rule on the dispute, which could not have come at a worse time for the Commonwealth Games, though Indian Prime Minister Manhoman Singh suggested that nothing, including a major multi-sport event, should interfere with the country’s constitution and has appealed for calm whatever the verdict.

He said: “Whatever the nature of judgement, I think everyone should make every effort to maintain peace, harmony and tranquillity in the country.”

Despite the Prime Minister’s comments, the Government has committed massive police resources to preventing a new outbreak of violence following the verdict, though Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram added the ruling would have no impact on protecting the 7,000 athletes from 71 countries and territories competing at the Commonwealth Games.

Chidambaram said: “I can assure you, notwithstanding the difficulties, we will provide foolproof security at the Games venues and at the Village"

The build-up to the event has hit further problems, with human rights campaigners accusing the Indian government of sweeping slum dwellers and beggars off Delhi’s streets in an effort to “beautify” the city, but at this stage it is safety and security that remains priority number one.

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