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Police step up security at busy Delhi market

It is a case of once bitten twice shy for the shopaholic's favourite Sarojini Nagar market in south Delhi, which was hit by a major terror strike three years ago, as it has stepped up security measures following the serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

  • IANS
  • Published: 22:01 July 27, 2008
  • Gulf News

New Delhi: It is a case of once bitten twice shy for the shopaholic's favourite Sarojini Nagar market in south Delhi, which was hit by a major terror strike three years ago, as it has stepped up security measures following the serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Delhi Police, which have sounded a high alert in the capital, were building four watch towers in the market premises to keep round-the-clock vigil on any suspicious activities.

More patrols

The presence of police personnel was increased and warnings and instructions were being sounded over microphones yesterday. Senior police officials were also making rounds of the market area, which houses more than 500 shops.

But the seven market associations were not happy. The 27 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, installed last year in the wake of terror threats, are not functional any more.

"For the past two months CCTVs are not operational, allegedly due to the non-payment of charges. There is some dispute going on," Pawan Arora, president of one of the market associations, said.

"From the security point of view, it is very important to have these cameras working. Police officials have assured us that matter would be resolved soon," Arora added.

A police official deployed in the market said that the CCTVs are not operational as the private firm had been blacklisted by the police headquarters.

"Presence of these cameras has always proved handy for us. It definitely gives you a certain edge in maintaining security," he said.

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