Delhi Police express interest in taking over Metro security

Two days after a security breach in Delhi Metro when a 22-year-old man shot himself at a crowded station, Delhi Police has once again expressed its interest in managing the rail system’s security. Officials said they were ready to take over the responsibility from the CISF, but need additional manpower. Delhi Police had in 2014, expressed interest in guarding the Delhi Metro.

“We are competent to handle Delhi Metro security. If the Home and Transport ministries allow us, we are ready to provide security in Metro,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Metro) Jitender Mani said.

Mani, however, clarified that his seniors have not forwarded any such proposal to the two ministries.

The police official did not hesitate in blaming the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Delhi Metro for such incidents.

“Delhi Metro has the responsibility of its structural set-up while the CISF is in charge of security. There is really a breach of security and this fault is already highlighted by the CISF in its security review done earlier,” Mani said.

The security issue was raised after <g data-gr-id="33">Shibesh</g> Kumar Pal, a 22-year-old martial arts trainer from Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh, entered the Metro rail system from Chandni Chowk station at 6.35 pm on Thursday and travelled to Rajiv Chowk where he shot himself on the extremely busy foot-overbridge connecting the platforms.

Sources said Delhi Police in 2014, had drafted such a proposal and it was also discussed by officials at the joint commissioner-level and above, but it got stuck after the police top brass, CISF and DMRC were divided on the issue.

The Metro DCP said: “If they (Delhi Police) would be provided 5,000 (additional) force, they are competent to provide security in Metro.”

However, Delhi Police and the CISF agree informally that the presence of both was only adding to the confusion.