Though the team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, groups of five to six securitymen are guarding the crucial points. In addition, teams of police personnel in plain clothes have been posted at various vantage points in the hotel's lobby. Access to the lobby itself is regulated through metal-detecting doorways.

Assisting the Delhi Police are contingents of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Delhi Armed Police (DAP). As per PAC sub-inspector Laukus Yadav's estimate, there were more than 60 of their men per shift standing by to assist the Delhi Police. ``We also have considerable reserves at Vijay Ghat available at a moment's notice,'' he said.

Though the Delhi Police has taken over the hotel's security for the duration of the teams' stay, the hotel's own security apparatus is onfull alert. According to security officer Sanjay Kumar, their team was not taking any chances with the hotel's indoor security.

``It's unlikely that a miscreant slips in through the outer security ring, but we are not ruling out the possibility. Since this threat business is obviously all about publicity, even a shattered front glass-door would be a disaster for us,'' he said. He declined to reveal which particular floors had been reserved for the teams, pleading security reasons.

The police personnel at the hotel's outer gates too expressed similar apprehensions, but were more worried about the possibility of rampaging mobs. When asked, Sub-inspector B.S. Malik, who had taken over the north gateman's cabin, said everything was under control.

He agreed, however, that the assignment was of a delicate nature considering its international implications and the hotel's well-off clientele. They simply could not afford to cause the slightest offense to any guest. ``But then it's all about being able to judgea person from his/her appearance. Which is what we are trained for,'' he said.