Following the brutal terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Delhi Police initiated measures to further beef up security in and around the busy shopping malls in the National Capital.
The attack has forced Delhi Police top brass to seek a detailed security audit of all malls that attract shoppers.
Armed commandos, aided by local police personnel, have been deployed to man access control to the malls. Meanwhile, Police also conducted mock drill at DR City Centre, a shopping mall in Shalimar Bagh, to check preparedness of security staff.
Delhi Police officials said on Monday that they have deployed additional armed police personnel at all the popular shopping malls to manage security. Patting down of those visiting the malls is done by private security agencies. Now, Delhi Police personnel will be posted at the entry and exit points to ensure that all those entering and leaving are accounted for.
Apart from CCTV surveillance in and around city malls, human surveillance too has been beefed up to ensure that nothing untoward happens.
A senior police officer said that appropriate security arrangements were put in place after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed Delhi Police to take appropriate measures following the terror attack on Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
“After the incident, all precautionary measures were taken and more armed personnel have been deployed at shopping malls across the city and tight vigil observed. All those visiting the malls have been subject to a body search. Security staff has been ordered to carry out thorough frisking and checking of vehicles. Any suspicious movement in and around the malls must be reported,” the officer said.
With Navratra and Ramlila festivities around the corner, additional security measures are afoot to ward off any eventuality. “We will be conducting extra searches
and there is a possibility
that people may get inconvenienced but no
leeway will be given,” the official added.
The Capital has been placed on high alert since Sunday night when gunmen killed 69 people shopping in a Nairobi mall in Kenya. It may be recalled that few years back, Delhi Police had also received e-mails threatening to blow up shopping malls.
“The force was on high alert and we had intensified patrolling and checking across the city, especially shopping malls like DlF Ambience, Vasant Kunj, DlF Place, Saket, markets and other crowded places. We have now asked shopping mall operators to step up security. They are also being periodically briefed about security arrangements,” the officer added.
Delhi Police has also roped in Traffic Police and civil defence personnel to check motorcyclists and keep extra vigil on vulnerable spots in the malls. The civil defence personnel will be asked to remain alert in crowded
places like shopping arcades and bazaars.
“Their help would be taken for verification of all store employees. A day after the terror attack in Nairobi, traffic personnel have been conducting spot checks on motorcyclists,” the officer said, adding that a traffic policeman on duty near a bus stand will be keeping an eye on commuters and if need be, check buses to ensure there is no baggage lying unclaimed.
Police personnel have also been instructed to check all vehicles bearing registration plates of other States. All border checkpoints have been accorded extra attention to keep tabs on vehicles entering city limits, especially during night hours.
Vice President and Mall Head, (DlF Place, Saket), Benu Sehgal said, “We have made all the security arrangements and increased security personnel. We had installed the weapon detector to avoid any untoward incident. We are also in contact with the local police and deployed armed personnel as well.”