Security will be very tight on Republic Day as police officers from other states have been called in to see through the celebrations.
Sources said 25 sub-inspectors from district intelligence units of various terror-hit states in the country will be part of R-Day’s security blanket in the Capital.
These men were handpicked by the respective state’s inspector generals and have extensive knowledge on terror bases and activities, varying from those of religious fanatics to naxals. Cops from Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, who specialise in handling religious extremists and also from naxal-affected states like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are already patrolling Delhi to ferret out any possible mischief-maker from their states.
An officer said: “These men know what is going on in their states. We are trying to bring all district intelligence inputs on a common platform. We are hoping they can spot perpetrators who are active in their areas.”
In another significant move, the Delhi Police has decided not to put on duty any police officer from its own cadre who has a ‘questionable past’. The security wing of the state is also verifying antecedents of each cop — from Delhi and outside — by cross-checking their track record with police stations they are currently posted at. A senior police officer said the police top brass in various states have already begun the process of verifying whether the selected cops have a criminal record or any complaint against them. “Even minor offences like a fight will be counted,” he said. Another said: “We shall not take chances.”
Sources in this wing told Newsline that officers in the Capital’s districts have been served notice to be part of the Republic Day security.
These men rank from constables to inspectors. Only those cops are being considered who have been on guard at important functions — like the Republic Day and Independence Day — at least once in their career.