Subtle but effective security arrangements for puja season in Delh

New Delhi, Sep 30 (UNI) It is festival time and the city police is leaving no stone unturned to provide a foolproof security net to avoid any untoward incident that may spoil the celebrations this Puja season.

The Delhi Police has cancelled all leave applications of its personnel and the force is working overtime.

Even as 'puja pandals' have specially been taken under 'monitored surveillance', Ramlila grounds and temples were also being observed to prevent any unsavoury incident, said a senior police official.

''A multi-layered security set-up has been put into place to prevent any 'sneak-ins' through coordinated frisking and sector-based observation. This has been done for better coordination among various agencies involved in the operation.'' Enhanced patrolling, building extra pickets, random checking and a leash on unscruplous elements was already in place since the last fortnight, while the policemen were working overtime, he said.

''As a special measure, area officers have been asked to personally monitor all 'assembly spots' at least thrice a day to get first hand knowledge of the ground situation and take immediate corrective, preventive or mandatory steps as the need be.'' Public places like metro stations, inter-state bus terminus, railway stations and market places have been provided with extra security cover to infuse a sense of confidence among the general public, the official said.

''Though metro stations have the CISF's additional security, we are providing the 'ring-side' cover to the 'potential target'.'' The stress, this time, is more on intelligence gathering and inputs from 'police sources' than planting additional forces at strategic locations. This has made the job a bit easy and successful, so far, as through this we have been able to station forces in critical areas, he informed.

''Though we are keeping our fingers crossed, despite our best efforts in place, we have made it a point this time to not be palpable and appear omni-present as a strategic move. This gives us better manoeuvrability and extra response time in case of an eventuality, while remaining away from suspecting eyes.'' Above all, we have tried to make people feel ''at ease'' during the festivals despite all the security threats, through efficient planning, better management of personnel, strategic placement and coordination between varioius agencies, the official added.

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