Amid threat of a terror strike in the national Capital during the New Year celebrations, the Delhi Police and security agencies have drawn and elaborate security arrangements to ensure that nothing untoward happens. The rank and file of Delhi Police will hit the road the police the city and also keep an eye on the revelers. Well placed sources told The Pioneer, “spotters” will be deployed across the city to keep an eye on suspects and any suspicious activity.
Commandos and personnel from the Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs) will be deployed at strategic locations to man the security of vital installations and also popular places such as Connaught Place in New Delhi, busy markets in South Delhi, clubs, five star hotels, pubs and bars, the sources added.
According to a senior police officer, security apparatus is put on alert on the eve of Christmas as festivities start for the New Year. People in large numbers start assembling not only at the major churches but also gather in huge numbers at popular places such as Connaught Place, Khan Market and areas in the New Delhi district. Security remains more alert on the “Boxing Day” when people exchange gifts from each other as part of Christmas celebrations. Since there is an Intelligence alert about terrorist groups trying to disrupt celebrations in the city, all districts have been put on alert, the official added.
Keeping in mind the essence of security arrangements, a senior police official, who is closely monitoring the arrangements shared that the city police force started their preparation three weeks back.
The official said, “In light of the Christmas celebrations which will begin on December 24, massive police personnel have been deployed at all important churches all across the city especially in areas of New Delhi and South Delhi areas. Apart from roping in local police personnel, extra personnel have been deployed from the reserve of the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the festive fervor.”
Apart from taking steps such as using barricades at all crucial arterial roads, the Delhi Police have also installed CCTV cameras in the vicinity of all the churches.
Another police official said out of the 240 churches in the city, CCTV cameras have been installed near the premises of nearly 224 churches.
Taking about the move, the official said, “CCTV cameras are installed at all major locations in Delhi. However, the move to install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the churches has been done to ensure that every activity, suspicious or not, is recorded, which can later be reviewed for further action against any wrong doer.”
Apart from providing a cat eye cover to the city, the Delhi Police has taken measure such sufficient deployment of PCR vans, Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and round the clock patrolling by police personnel on motorcycles around markets in the city. Security arrangements for the New Year eve celebrations have been put on higher scale, the official added.
“All area DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police), Additional DCPs, ACP and SHOs have been directed to keep a strict vigilance in their respective areas. Round the clock patrolling around the areas of lutyen’s Delhi and in popular areas such as Connaught Place will be barricaded. Only people with entry to a particular lounge or restaurant will be allowed to enter CP on New Year Eve”, the police official added.
Apart from heavy police patrolling and barricading, senior police officers have been asked to ensure that the local police keep a tab on the people especially youngsters who indulge stunts on bikes/motorcycles, a tab on drunk driving and over-speeding, he added.