New Delhi: More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and an expanded CCTV camera network have been pressed into service in the New Delhi area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at the Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday.
The elaborate security arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens’ Delhi, with additional personnel being mobilised from other districts to prevent any law-and-order situation during the proposed march at 5 pm.
Police have also positioned barricades at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg.
Officers said the focus is on securing multiple entry and exit points in the sprawling commercial district without bringing public movement to a standstill.
A senior police officer said that 5,000 additional personnel have been reserved from other districts to bolster the deployment.
The arrangements are being coordinated with the deployment of 220 CAPF companies earmarked for New Delhi, which will also cover adjoining districts, border areas and other important locations.
Thirty CAPF companies will be deployed during each shift, with three shifts planned through the day. The strength could be increased if the situation demands, particularly if crowds gather in large numbers or the demonstration continues into the night.
“If the crowd swells during the night and we need more security, we will increase the strength to 60 companies in one shift,” the officer said.
Surveillance has also been stepped up, with more than 10 CCTV cameras installed in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the gathering and preserve footage in case of any violation or untoward incident.
“Since there were hardly any cameras at Central Park and a large gathering of people is expected, we have installed new cameras,” the officer said.
