Monday, September 20, 2010

No parking near 470 sites

Reacting to the incident at Jama Masjid which has led to a scare in the city, the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, held an emergency meeting with the police commissioner, YS Dadwal, and senior officials of the agencies concerned to take stock of the situation on Sunday.

The meeting discussed the law and order situation and saw the LG issue directions to the CP to introduce special security measures with immediate effect. A senior official pointed out that there are 470 sites which have been identified as sensitive or high-risk in the city.

Thus the first step towards taking special measures to enhance security would be to put these points under strict vigil.

Delhi Police said they have also asked the officials at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of possible targets for a terror attack.

‘‘The security on premises has to be beefed up and we have asked them to deploy armed guards wherever required. We have also intensified patrolling and deployment at vital installations,’’ added a police officer.

On the allegations made by the Shahi Imam and others at Jama Masjid that the requisite security measures were not in place despite reminders to the police, senior officials refused to comment. However, the LG’s office said that letters had been written time and again to religious institutions like Jama Masjid, Akshardham temple and others asking them to make security arrangements like CCTV cameras.

Some of the heritage sites where these curbs will now apply are Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, Humanyun’s Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Turkman Gate, Fatehpuri Masjid and Tughlaqabad Fort.

Among vital installations and iconic buildings are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Kalakji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, Indian Oil building, Birla Temple, Reserve Bank of India, PTI building, Police headquarters, Shastri Bhavan, Delhi University, Pallika Sadan Kendra, Palika Bazar, NDMC building, Connaught Place and Safdarjung Airport.

These restrictions are going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people in the city and could also lead to police highhandedness. Two-wheeler drivers have always been the favorite whipping boys of the cops only at the check-posts.

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