The Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday issued guidelines to all states prohibiting clicking selfies in front of national memorials from Aug. 12 to Aug. 18 as part of the security measures that are being put in place ahead of the Independence Day and 'Bharat Parv' celebrations.
The Delhi Police has also deployed security personnel in and around the Red Fort following inputs from security agencies about possible threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day. The police also received information about drones being used to infringe up on Modi's security cordon on Aug. 15, according to local media reports.
The main aim of the 'Bharat Parv', a magnificent event highlighting the cultural diversity of India, is to promote the spirit of patriotism among the citizens of the country. It consists of shows performed by artistes of different regions, a performance by the band of the armed forces and exhibition of handicrafts across all regions in India.
Meanwhile, the government has also decided to declare 'Selfie Danger Zones' at tourist sites across the country given the rise in selfie-related deaths since 2014.
"Provision of Safety to tourists for various activities of tourism including safetyÂprecautionary measures to prevent any unÂtoward incident including declaring of 'Selfie Danger Zones' (SDZ) at tourist sites is the primary responsibility of concerned State Governments/UT Administrations," the statement said.
"For the safety and security for tourists - both domestic and international- we are forming specific guidelines and will ask the state governments and other agencies to demarcate areas (at tourist destinations and historical monuments) which are considered 'risky' for any such activities," an official was quoted by India Today as saying, while adding that signs would be put up at all danger zones warning tourists of the danger ahead.
"The guidelines will include steps like putting up safety nets around all identified SDZs so that if anyone suffers a fall, fatalities can be avoided... There will be arrangements of emergency medical assistance at all Selfie Danger Zones too," an official told India Today, adding that CCTV cameras would be installed and security guards would be deployed to monitor movement of tourists at such danger zones.