Police stations strength depleted for Games

NEW DELHI - Police stations in the capital will have fewer men during the Commonwealth Games — because 40 percent of the staff will be assigned to guard the athletes and Games venues.

“With just nine days left for the Games, we need additional security. So personnel will be deployed from each police station, particularly at practice venues,” said Rajan Bhagat, the Delhi Police spokesperson.

Delhi’s 154 police stations will work with one inspector instead of the usual two or three during the Oct 3-14 Games.

Station House Officers of inspector-rank officials have been spared Games-related duty while inspectors handling investigations and anti-terrorism squads have been assigned security duty during the Games.

He said the arrangement will not affect the normal functioning of police stations thanks to new recruits and trainee constables.

“We will have enough police personnel to assist SHOs. We have taken out 40 percent of experienced inspectors and other personnel for Games.

“They are being substituted with 6,000 trainee constables and will assist the SHOs and inspectors till the Games end,” he added.