LG takes stock of Capital’s security, asks police to step up vigil

The national Capital has been put on high alert since Saturday. If sources are to be believed, the LG was not satisfied with the reports submitted by various departments of the Delhi Police regarding plans to avert a terror strike. 

“I have issued instructions to all police stations to keep extra vigil in their areas with the deployment of additional forces at pickets and vulnerable public places, including markets, hotels, malls, airports and railway stations,” Jung said after a review meeting.

The meeting took place around 10 am at Raj Niwas. Special Commissioners in Delhi Police – Deepak Mishra (law and order), Dharmendra Kumar (Special Unit), Vimla Mehra (administration), Arvind Deep (special cell), Balaji Srivastava (intelligence), Sundari Nanda (operations) and Muktesh Chander (traffic), among other senior police officials attended the meeting, which went on till 11.30 am.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said that the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung reviewed the security arrangements in the city this morning.

A senior Delhi police officer, requesting anonymity, told Millennium Post: “Due to the lack of police force, the LG has instructed to cancel all leaves of police personnel. Also, the officers have been advised to increase patrolling in all sensitive areas. Besides, the LG has asked the police to look into functional and non-functional CCTV cameras across the city.” Policemen have been asked to work for extra hours. The Delhi Police have been asked to deploy more force in the city, the source added.

Deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and police pickets on Delhi’s borders with adjoining 

states has been increased. The police said vigil  has been intensified across the city, especially around public places such as markets, hotels, malls and Metro stations. “Adequate measures have put in place to handle an emergency situation,” said a senior police official.

In the meeting, the LG also asked the police to ensure special security at the India International Trade Fare (IITF). “The Delhi Police’s crime branch unit, intelligence wing and Special Cell, which are specialised in tackling anti-terror activities, have been briefed,” another senior officer said.

Just after the news of the Paris terror attack was received, security was stepped up in the city on Saturday, especially outside the French Embassy and government buildings.

The Capital looks like a fortress, with enhanced security arrangements, especially in the Chanakypuri diplomatic enclave and other crucial locations like the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Security has been beefed up around the city’s half-a-dozen railway stations and as many bus terminals.  

Security is being upgraded in and around crowded markets and office buildings in Lutyens’ Zone.