More than 6,500 cops and para forces deployed across capital
NEWDELHI: Over 4,500 police personnel, 2,000 traffic police, 290 additional cameras and five special command rooms kept a sharp eye on more than 1.5 lakh people who turned up for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) rally on Sunday morning.
Additional force from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF ) were also pressed into service. Water cannons, anti-terror Parakram vans and SWAT teams remained on stand-by.
At least 15 deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners from different police districts of Delhi along with 30 assistant commissioners of police remained on-ground since Saturday night. Joint commissioners and special commissioners of the Delhi police were also present at the venue.
Police said the deployment remained in place until the rally dispersed at around 2 pm.
Deputy commissioner of police (central) Mandeep Singh Randhava said 80 high-definition cameras were installed inside the ground. “Apart from this, 210 cameras were also installed on the outer periphery of the ground and on the roads leading to the venue,” Randhava said.
Feeds from these cameras were monitored at temporary command rooms. “The main command room was at the venue and the CCTVS’ footage were being constantly monitored. Apart from the venue, four different command rooms were set up at Daryaganj, Kamla Market, IP Estate and near Ranjeet Singh flyover,” the DCP said.
Police had also deployed its spotters and snipers on rooftops of all high rise buildings in the proximity. “Surveillance using drones was not required,” Randhava said.
He said that no untoward incident was reported and the procession concluded peacefully.
However, a ruckus was reported around noon when some participants tried force their way into Ramlila ground from the gate number two, which was reserved for VIPS.
However, the DCP said that the situation was just a “brief altercation” and was quickly managed. “No case was registered against any of the rally members,” he said.