Fool-proof measures in place as Delhi under security blanket

New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Ever since alert was sounded after the Mumbai serial blasts, Delhi has been virtually living under the shadow of security agencies drawn from as wide a range as Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to 'Spotters' (who identify terror suspects according to the police dossier) of the Special Cell, Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and not to talk of Intelligence Bureau sleuths, Military Intelligence and several other intelligence units.

Fanning through the length and breadth of the Capital forces have taken control of all vital installations soon after Home Secretary V K Duggal held a meeting to review the security scenario on July 12.

Soon after Police Commissioner K K Paul announced a state of 'high alert' in the Capital, security at all strategic points including markets, crowded places, religious places, railway stations, metro stations, city borders and VIP areas were beefed up.

While 'Spotters' of the Special Cell were manning railway stations and sensitive spots in the city, dog and bomb squads have been rounding market places and crowded areas like shopping complexes, cinema halls, and big temples.

City borders were also being manned on a heightened scale and additional check-points set up all over the city along with frisking of suspects at bus terminuses and railway stations.

At Metro, plain-clothed armed guards, ordered to 'shoot whenever needed', have been deployed to prevent any sabotage efforts by extremists. The guards have orders to shoot if neccessary during any exigency which could save passengers from any likely 'attack'.

Besides this, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed at all Metro stations to beef up the security apparatus, alongwith the already deployed seven companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Station managers and controllers of the Metro have been instructed to increase patrolling within their stations and train operators asked to be extra vigilant and remain alert.

Frequency of public announcements, warning people on suspected objects and persons, have been increased and securitymen posted inside compartments along with the usual vigil of the underground network through CCTV and 'Operation Control Room'.

Also, the DMRC's central security service, which takes care of security at the stations in case of an emergency, had been activated.

With security at airports given a top priority special equipments to detect explosives in baggage handling areas are being procured and tightened security measures imposed at the airport after officials reviewed the situation with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Secondary checks on passengers at ladder point and baggage check were being done after intelligence inputs suggested that some airports could be targeted.

Also, explosive detection equipments have been placed and entry of visitors inside terminal buildings is banned.

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