National capital headed for longest alert period
14 Dec 2014 5:39 AM IST
The city would be in one of the longest high alert periods in recent years starting next week.
After the alleged arson at the St Sebastian’s church in north-east Delhi, the police had decided to enhance security of all churches across the national capital during the Christmas season. A special investigation team was set up in this regard.
The team is headed by joint commissioner of police (crime) and assisted by the deputy commissioner of police (north-east). However, special commissioner of police (law and order), Deepak Mishra, had himself assured speedy investigation of the matter and special security during Christmas to avoid any untoward incident throughout Delhi.
But tightened security throughout Delhi shall continue till the return of US President Barrack Obama, who is scheduled to visit India on Republic Day, said a senior police official. It shall further be stretched for possible elections in February next year.
He further said, between Christmas and Republic Day, there are several other occasions for which security is likely to be heightened as a routine process. They include the New Year eve – during which security is especially heightened in the New Delhi district and several important roads are blocked in the evening – and the Makar Sankranti during which special drives are carried out on Delhi roads.
During the previous week, Delhi Police braced itself for a long window of heightened vigil and a meeting was held at its headquarters in Indrapratha Road, which was headed by Commissioner Bassi. The vigil was first heightened at east Delhi’s Trilokpuri, which had already witnessed communal clashes throughout late October and the first half of November.
According to a source, the terror alarm turned louder when the personal car of an Air Force Wing Commander was stolen from South Delhi’s Moti Bagh area. There was a Defence Ministry sticker on the windshield of the car and several important documents – including the officer’s identity card – were there in its dashboard cabinet.
Soon, Delhi Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and HIT teams were deployed at important public places such as airports, railway stations, bus terminals, Metro stations and malls over the perceived threat of a terror strike. Enhanced security was also witnessed at key locations like India Gate and Red Fort.
After the alleged arson at the St Sebastian’s church in north-east Delhi, the police had decided to enhance security of all churches across the national capital during the Christmas season. A special investigation team was set up in this regard.
The team is headed by joint commissioner of police (crime) and assisted by the deputy commissioner of police (north-east). However, special commissioner of police (law and order), Deepak Mishra, had himself assured speedy investigation of the matter and special security during Christmas to avoid any untoward incident throughout Delhi.
But tightened security throughout Delhi shall continue till the return of US President Barrack Obama, who is scheduled to visit India on Republic Day, said a senior police official. It shall further be stretched for possible elections in February next year.
He further said, between Christmas and Republic Day, there are several other occasions for which security is likely to be heightened as a routine process. They include the New Year eve – during which security is especially heightened in the New Delhi district and several important roads are blocked in the evening – and the Makar Sankranti during which special drives are carried out on Delhi roads.
During the previous week, Delhi Police braced itself for a long window of heightened vigil and a meeting was held at its headquarters in Indrapratha Road, which was headed by Commissioner Bassi. The vigil was first heightened at east Delhi’s Trilokpuri, which had already witnessed communal clashes throughout late October and the first half of November.
According to a source, the terror alarm turned louder when the personal car of an Air Force Wing Commander was stolen from South Delhi’s Moti Bagh area. There was a Defence Ministry sticker on the windshield of the car and several important documents – including the officer’s identity card – were there in its dashboard cabinet.
Soon, Delhi Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and HIT teams were deployed at important public places such as airports, railway stations, bus terminals, Metro stations and malls over the perceived threat of a terror strike. Enhanced security was also witnessed at key locations like India Gate and Red Fort.
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