Security for Navratri: Police keeping tab on known criminals

NEW DELHI: Since morning, beat constables from police stations in north east Delhi on Thursday were visiting homes or known locations of persons with a criminal record, where they claimed to be working.

Keeping a tab on movement of active criminals, bad characters and accused out on bail is now the routine for Delhi Police personnel, in view of the upcoming Dussehra and Durga Puja festivities.

Police sources told Millennium Post, "We started around a week ago and so far around 50-60 persons with criminal antecedents have been verified. It has been done in every police station of north east Delhi."

Describing the process, sources told this newspaper that sometimes they call these suspects to the police station or visit their homes.

"We ask them what their source of livelihood is. If they say they are working in some shop or pushing a vegetable cart in particular areas, a surprise visit is made by policemen to verify the fact," said a police official.

If the information provided to police turns out to be wrong, preventive action is taken. Police assured that they are regularly conducting verifications.

For this work, every police station in the district has specific police personnel, who have been told given name of three such persons and told to monitor their movements.

DCP North East Ajit Kumar Singla himself is monitoring security arrangements of the festivities. Anti-snatching teams in the district are also on their toes. Some vulnerable spot have been identified and forces have been deployed.

According to police data, this year, applications for police protection at 21 Ram Lila enactments and three for Durga Puja pandals have been received.

Singla told Millennium Post that police are conducting meetings with organisers to take anti-terror measures. Moreover, motorcycle patrolling is been undertaken in many areas. "We have made proper arrangements for the festive season," assured Singla.