The entire Delhi Police was put on a high alert and the security and intelligence apparatus activated apprehending angry protests following the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at Tihar Central Jail here on Saturday.
Although senior police officers remained tight-lipped, it is learnt that the force was intimated early in the morning about Afzal’s execution. An alert was sounded in the Capital and heavy deployments were made in the areas where the police anticipated trouble during the day. Security personnel were also deployed at Jantar Mantar, where a large number of human rights activists and students later gathered to condemn Afzal’s hanging.
Men in plainclothes were deployed and the intelligence unit also pressed into action to gather information on any plans by various organisations to carry out protests. Security in Lutyens’ Delhi, that houses a large number of senior government functionaries and Members of Parliament, was also increased. In coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force and other Central agencies, surveillance is being kept on activities surrounding vital installations.
The police also remained in touch with their counterparts in neighbouring States for intelligence sharing on any activity that threatens to disrupt peace.
“No incident of violence has been reported in the city. There was a scuffle at Jantar Mantar that was contained. We detained some protesters and released them later. None of the detainees was associated with the Bajrang Dal,” said a police officer.
Apprehending more protests, the force will remain on alert in the coming days.
