5,000 cops to be deployed for Holi

Security has been strengthened in the city as 2,500 personnel from police districts and an equal number of personnel from the traffic department will be deployed across the national capital on Thursday to prevent any incidents of “hooliganism” during Holi celebrations.

The police has also decided to deploy quick response teams (QRTs) at strategic points to deal with any untoward incident, DCP (crime) Rajan Bhagat said.

“Officers up to the rank of deputy commissioner have been instructed to conduct patrolling throughout the day and ensure that no hooliganism takes place, with heightened vigil on instances of harassment of women on the pretext of celebrations,” a senior police officer said. The PCR wing is also on its toes to take distress calls throughout the day.

The police issued an advisory on Wednesday, warning Delhiites against causing harassment by throwing water balloons on people, forcing them to indulge in the revelry, drunken driving and causing any kind of nuisance in any public space.

The police personnel deployed for Holi arrangements will be divided into groups of between four and 10 and will be present at all barricades across the city. Each group will have a mix of local police and traffic personnel.

On Tuesday, security was stepped up in the national capital hours after a series of explosions ripped through the Brussels airport and a metro station, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than 200.

The Delhi police ramped up the security at the city’s railway stations, bus terminuses, the airport and popular markets.