With 6,000 security personnel and a total of 24 help desks along with anti-sabotage checks, verification drives and patrolling, the Delhi Police has stepped up security measures in view of the Republic Day celebrations in and around the national capital. Anti-sabotage checks are being conducted in markets, high footfall areas and other prominent places by the Bomb Disposal Team along with dog squads, police said. Around 60,000 to 65,000 people are expected to take part in Republic Day celebrations, police said.
In Noida and Greater Noida, Police personnel, including several in civil clothes have reviewed security arrangements at malls and crowded areas as bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were also deployed for the inspections ahead of Republic Day. The inspections were also carried out at hotels, metro stations, bus stands and local markets among places that witness large footfall, especially on Republic Day, the police said.
Security in Delhi
All Assistant Commissioner of Police and Station House Officers have been holding meetings with members of the Residents Welfare Association and Market Welfare Associations and briefing them about security measures for Republic Day, police told PTI.
The Delhi Police has also been creating awareness on social media and asking people to alert them about any suspicious person, activity or article, they said. Tenant and servant verifications are also being done, police said, adding that surprise checks are being conducted at hotels, guest houses and 'dharamshalas', police said.
Several districts have also conducted mock drills to check their preparedness for anti-terror measures, police said. According to officials, anti-terror measures have been intensified in coordination with other security agencies since Delhi has always been a target for terrorists or anti-social elements.
Extra pickets have been deployed on bordering areas this year to ensure mischievous elements do not gain entry into the national capital, officials said. Besides the internal meetings of the Delhi Police, inter-state coordination meetings are also being held to ensure there are no lapse of security, they said, adding that checking have been intensified at malls, markets, railway and metro stations and bus terminals, PTI reported.
This year, the entry would be based on QR code given on the pass. No person without a valid pass or ticket would be allowed, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said.
More than 150 CCTV cameras have been placed and some of them also have facial recognition system, the DCP said. Police said an NSG and DRDO's anti-drone team will also be deputed.
Security in Noida
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Vishal Pandey checks and inspections have been carried out at shops, mals on the instructions of the Police Commissioner. "On instructions of Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, police have been carrying out checks and inspections at all hotels, shopping malls, markets and other busy areas of the entire district. Bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs have also been engaged during the security inspections."
"Police personnel in uniform and in civil clothes have also been deployed. Special interaction has been held with private security agencies, including those engaged by shopping malls.
"These security agencies and their personnel have been instructed to immediately inform the local police at 112 in case of any suspicious activity or person coming to light,” Pandey said.
Police officials also interacted with residents, including women and children, to take their feedback on security arrangements. They also urged public to report any suspicious activity immediately at emergency helpline number 112, he added.
All measures have been put in place to ensure that the Republic Day celebrations are held in a peaceful manner here, the additional DCP added.