Security tightened across Delhi

NEW DELHI - Security has been beefed up across the capital a day after gunmen opened fire outside Jama Masjid in the walled city and injured two foreigners, police said Monday.

Following the shooting, in which two Taiwanese tourists were injured, police have mounted vigil at heritage sites, railway stations, Metro stations, airports, markets and areas near the Commonwealth Games venues.

Apart from frisking, police are also monitoring CCTV camera footage to maintain vigil.

According to police, barricades have been put up at all the important locations and vehicles were being checked thoroughly. Patrolling has also been increased.

A senior official confirmed that there are adequate security arrangements at the Games venues.

“At each venue we have increased the deployment of security personnel. Apart from this, we have instructed our officers to be alert at major markets, airports, railway stations and parking lots,” he added.

“Parking near high-rise buildings and Games venue has been prohibited for the moment,” said Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police spokesperson.

The 11 Games venues will be guarded by 800-1,500 police personnel and nobody will be allowed to enter these without a valid pass.

Police Sunday also came out with a list of 470 sites where security has been upgraded and restrictions imposed on parking.

No parking will be allowed within 100 metres of these sites. Also bikers with pillion riders will not be allowed anywhere near these sites. The decisions were taken on the direction of Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna.

Some of the heritage sites where these curbs will come into force include 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 the vital installations and iconic buildings where the curbs have been imposed are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Kalakji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, Indian Oil Coporation building, Birla Mandir, Reserve Bank of India, Press Trust of India building, police headquarters, Shastri Bhavan, Delhi University, Palika Sadan, Palika Bazar, New Delhi Municipal Council building, Connaught Place and Safdarjung Airport.

Around 80,000 Delhi Police personnel, over 17,500 paramilitary personnel, 3,000 commandos and 100 anti-sabotage teams will be deployed across the city for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to begin from Oct 3.