MiD DAY did it last year. And the year before. This year too we were surprised, sadly, to find we are not terror-proof before the Big Parade. Archana Solanki did a recce
MiD DAY did it last year. And the year before. This year too we were surprised, sadly, to find we are not terror-proof before the Big Parade. Archana Solanki did a recceTomorrow, the country celebrates its 62nd Republic Day, an occasion that's as much a moment of pride as it is a security headache. With intell-igence agencies warning of possible terrorist attacks employing unconventional weapons, one would have expected a more efficient security set-up in the Capital.
Check please!u00a0 1. MiD DAY reporter Archana Solanki enters Lajpat Nagar
market as guards chat among themselves. Pics/Subhash Barolia
2. She checks out stuff at Sarojini Nagar shopping area, leaving her bag
unattended at a distance. There is no check post at this market entry too.
Pics/Subhash Barolia
3. After visiting three markets in the city, she displays a pack of knives
which she had carried in her bag all the while. Pics/Subhash BaroliaI visited three of the most crowded markets in Delhi and found that security personnel guarding these public places are not able to locate even conventional weapons, forget unconventional ones. For that matter, they don't seem to be interested even in conducting basic security checks.
Carrying five sharp knives in a bag, I visited the markets . The kitchen utensils may not be viewed as a security threat but they certainly should have set off the metal detectors.
Janpath, 1.30pmThe junk jewellery and cloth market located on the lane that connects the Parliament Street with Janpath is often crowded with locals and foreigners alike. The market has entry and exit points at both the ends that are manned by security personnel.
I decided to carry my bag filled with knives inside the market to see if I would be searched and stopped. Imagine my surprise when I and other people walked in without anyone checking us or our belongings. The security personnel on duty were busy talking with each other. It was only when they saw the MiD DAY lensman carrying a camera that the policemen decided to resume checking. But it was too late. I was already in the market with my 'weapons.'
I decide to try the other side of the market. A woman security guard was posted there and I hoped that she will at least check my bag. But this time also our "tight" and "disciplined" security arrangement failed to pass the basic security check test. The woman security guard was busy talking over her mobile phone and paid no heed to people entering the market.
Sarojini Nagar, 3pm One of the busiest markets in the south Delhi, it has been witness to a terror attack too. Reaching here, I noticed that police barricades had been set up on the periphery of the market. Expecting a stringent security check, I walked towards the entrance. To my horror, the Janpath scenario was repeated.u00a0 Security people at both entrances paid no attention to people making entry or exit with or without baggage. I walked all through the market with my bag full of 'weapons' without anyone stopping me.
Lajpat Nagar, 5pm The Central Market at Lajpat Nagar was my last destination. The scene here turned out to be a bigger disappointment.u00a0 Even the number of security personnel posted here seemed insufficient given the number of people who visit the market. Moving around the market was a cakewalk for me.
I waited for half an hour to see if my unchecked entry was an exception. It wasn't. People were just walking in, no questions asked and no belongings checked. All you have to do is sport a confident look.
| Big bang theory |
| MiD DAY reported on Monday that intelligence agencies have warned of possible use of radioactive material in the form of 'dirty' bombs by terrorists during the Republic Day celebrations. According to an advisory issued by the Intelligence Bureau to the Delhi police, terrorists and other criminal groups might resort to the use of unconventional weapons to wreak mayhem and destruction in the city. |
