As the Capital gears up for Dussehra celebrations, the Delhi Police is busy ensuring that all security arrangements are in place before the festivities begin.

“People come in large numbers to temples and we try to depute as many men as we can to look after the security at the crowded places, withdrawing our men from other duties of the local police station,” a senior police officer said. “The officers would check security arrangements in each market and ensure intensive patrolling, besides increasing the presence of forces and ensuring that announcements are made for public awareness though the public address system.”

The police are also trying to rope in the market welfare associations of the areas to instruct them about how to thwart any untoward incident. “We are ensuring regular interactions with the RWA and market associations to tell them about dos and donts. For instance, installation of closed circuit TV cameras at Ram Lila and other puja functions to maintain a check on suspicious people and objects,” the officer said.

To enhance security measures, personnel from all districts, reserve police and training cells have been deployed on law and order duties and bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs are also doing the rounds of crowded market areas.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said they have mobilised the force, including the training reserve.

Bhagat added that anti-terrorists measures are also being taken with Quick Reaction Teams and armed components on stand-by.

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