There is an unusual calm, amid hectic police activity, in the Lajpat Nagar market these days. The popular 3Cs Mall and the entire area around it has been turned into a fortress after the Delhi Police received specific security inputs that the building would be blown up in the next 15 days.

According to sources in the Southeast district police, they got inputs from intelligence agencies about a possible threat to the mall a few days ago. After the message was forwarded to the local police, they cordoned off the entire market.

Intelligence agencies reportedly told the police that the Army had recovered a sketch of the mall from a few terrorists arrested by it recently and that their interrogation revealed a threat to the mall.

The police sources said the present security arrangements were under the direct supervision of an assistant commissioner of police. A senior officer is present at the site round the clock.

Officers said they had kept a few numbers on electronic surveillance.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern Range, Ajai Kashyap, however, did not elaborate on the matter. He said: “We keep doing such exercises.”

The police said at least 20 policemen had been deputed at the market to thwart any untoward incident. “More than ten officers are placed in front of the mall, while the rest are deputed at the back,” said an officer.

There is, meanwhile, panic among the shopkeepers. “There has been a fool-proof security for the last two days. I have never seen such heavy police presence at this time of the year. We have been told by the police that there is a threat to the 3Cs and we should be more alert,” said a shopkeeper who did not wish to be named. He added: “Roadside vendors have been asked to pack their bags for a few days.”