With patience and grace, security forces ensure smooth procession
NEW DELHI: Under the watchful security cover of snipers, National Security Guard (NSG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRP) and more than 3,000 police personnel, the funeral of India’s tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed off peacefully on Friday, with Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik personally monitoring the situation.
According to police sources, continuous briefing of personnel started soon after Vajpayee passed away on Thursday evening.
“We told them to handle the crowd with patience and also be firm if there is a need. As we knew that the gathering will be emotional, we clearly told them to be polite with the public,” said a senior police officer.
Twenty-five routes were restricted for the last rites and nearby shops were closed. The Joint Commissioners and Special Commissioners of Police were continuously taking note of the situation from the Deputy Commissioners.
Central Delhi is headed by DCP Mandeep Randhawa, while the five regions in the district are headed by Additional DCPS, and 12 zones are under ACPS, while SHOS are in-charge of 65 sectors.
At tall buildings, snipers were deployed and Vajra vehicles were also seen at restricted areas.
DCP (North) Nupur Prasad was on the street to make sure no untoward incident took place. More than 10 companies were deployed for security, and 10 LED screens were set up near the cremation ground at Smriti Sthal for the people to watch the last rites.
“Police personnel were told to be polite with the public and use language full of etiquettes,” said Prasad.
In addition to local police, CRPF personnel were deployed at strategic points. As the funeral procession moved from the BJP headquarters, the NSG and Special Protection Group commandoes looked after the cavalcade.
Over 600 cops were deployed in plain clothes, while armed forces personnel sat in Army vehicles for protection. Thirty Parakram vans were also deployed at different locations.