Tight security in place in Delhi ahead of Diwali

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) With memories of the serial blasts in South Delhi and the Connaught Place still fresh, a tight security net has been laid across the Capital ahead of the Diwali festival tomorrow.

Deployment of over 3000 additional security personnel to man crowded areas in the city like market places, railway stations and Metro stations and installation of CCTV cameras in busy markets are among the measures undertaken by the Delhi police as part of enhancement of security apparatus across the city on the eve of Diwali.

Additional CCTV cameras have been installed in all busy markets in wake of the September 13 serial blasts in Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Greater Kailash.

For example, as many as 16 CCTV cameras have been installed in Gaffar Market at Karol Bagh - one of those affected by the blasts.

Metal detectors and barricades have been put in place at the entry and exit points of almost all markets in the city with entry of motor vehicles disallowed at peak hours.

Also patrolling has been intensified and traffic police deployed in huge numbers to prevent chaos on the roads.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said besides the regular police force, an extra 34 companies have been pressed into service to man security in the Capital city.

Altogether, 3,400 personnel in addition to the regular numbers have been deployed across the capital.

All Station House Officers (SHOs) and district DCPs have also been asked to be on the field till the festive season is over.

Infact, top senior officials of the Delhi Police on Saturday decided on a series of measures to ensure safety and security in the capital during this festive season.

Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal asked senior officers to meet market associations and ensure proper security arrangements in all markets and crowded places during the Diwali festival season.

Also, this year, the Delhi Police have laid down strict security guidelines for holding of Diwali melas in various areas which make it mandatory for the organisers to make parking arrangement for all vehicles, putting a fence around the pandals and maintaining a certain height for the fence, complete CCTV surveillance, access control at designated entry and exit points using metal detectors (both hand-held and door frame) and machans for complete surveillance.

The tight security comes in wake of the September 13 serial blasts in Delhi which left 13 people dead and several others injured.

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