The national Capital was put on high alert on Monday in wake of revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir, and the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations. The security agencies, including the Delhi Police were asked to take special care, to ensure the safety and securities of residents of Jammu & Kashmir, especially students hailing from the trouble-torn State living in various parts of the national Capital.
Delhi Metro too issued a fresh advisory to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in the mass-rapid rail network that runs across the National Capital Region and carries lakhs of commuters every day. The Union Home ministry directed the Delhi police to be on maximum alert so as to pre-empt and prevent any breach of security or public order.
On Monday, security was also beefed up at the Delhi Airport, railway stations and ISBTs. Further police presence was increased in areas, which have high footfall.
“A high committee meeting was held on Monday and all field officers have being sensitized. Being the national capital, Delhi is always on alert and Delhi Police ensures that no untoward incident takes place. We were already beefing up the security arrangements in view of the Independence day and police is also keeping a strict vigil,” said Anil Mittal, Additional Public Relation Officer (APRO), Delhi Police.
An advisory for remaining on a high alert mode was issued to all the security forces across the country, including Delhi Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alert is based on general inputs analysed after any important event. The latest directive came after the government abolished Article 370 that gives special status on Jammu and Kashmir and also in view of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
“Adequate publicity may be given to the measures taken by state governments and Union Territory administration to inspired confidence in the sections concerned and to sensitise the public against any mischief or breach of peace,” the advisory stated.
“Suitable instructions should be issued to law enforcement agencies to maintain vigil against circulation of false, unverified news, rumours, and unscrupulous messages on social media aimed at disturbing peace and public tranquility and inciting violence and communal discord,” it stated.
In a tweet from its official handle, the Delhi Metro Rail Network (DMRC) said: “As advised by security agencies, a red alert has been imposed on the entire DMRC network. Please allow extra time in security checks.”
“The commuters could be made to go through two-layers of frisking with a hand-held metal detector as well as a physical check by the CISF personnel at select stations that will be selected randomly keeping in mind the dynamic security situation, “ DMRC stated in its statement.
“Their baggage too could be checked twice-- first by the security scanner and then physically by the security personnel,” said an DMRC official. About 28 lakh commuters use over 220 stations of the DMRC daily to reach destinations in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurugram”, it added.