Delhi Police Strengthen Assembly Security for Monsoon Session After Threats and Breach
Delhi Police have significantly enhanced security arrangements at the Delhi Assembly premises ahead of the four-day Monsoon Session. The move comes in the wake of a series of bomb threats and a security breach earlier this year, which raised concerns about the safety of the legislative complex.
On Thursday, senior police officials, in a meeting with Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, conducted a comprehensive review of the security and logistical arrangements. The discussion covered deployment of personnel, access control, crowd management, and emergency response capabilities. The review aimed to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all security measures are in place before the session begins.
As part of the preparedness measures, the police conducted a mock drill at the Assembly complex. The drill was designed to assess operational preparedness, test emergency response capability, and evaluate readiness to respond to any exigency. Such drills help security agencies identify gaps and improve coordination among different units.
The heightened security follows multiple bomb threats targeting the Assembly in recent months. Additionally, in April this year, a man drove his vehicle into the Assembly complex and remained on the premises for five minutes before driving off. He was later arrested by the police. This incident exposed weaknesses in the existing security protocol and necessitated a review of access control measures.
Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Shrivastava said approximately 130 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed throughout the session to provide multilayered security cover. This deployment will include officers from the Delhi Police as well as central armed police forces, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the premises.
Among the specific measures, view cutters will be installed along the periphery of the Assembly premises to prevent outside visual surveillance. An Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officer will be appointed to supervise the security arrangements. Additionally, a dedicated office will be set up within the Assembly complex to facilitate continuous supervision and strengthen coordination among security agencies.
To further strengthen security, hydraulic road blockers will be installed at all entry gates. These blockers are designed to stop vehicles, even in cases of high-speed attempts to enter. Access control measures will also be upgraded, and deployment of personnel will be increased. A Quick Reaction Team of the Central Reserve Police Force has been deployed to ensure immediate response in case of an emergency.
Under the revised access protocol, entry to the Assembly premises will be permitted only through Gate No. 1. The remaining gates will remain restricted to regulate movement and reinforce perimeter security. This means that all visitors, staff, and vehicles will need to enter through a single point, allowing for more effective screening and monitoring.
The Delhi Assembly is scheduled to hold its Monsoon Session for four days. During this period, a range of legislative business is expected to be transacted. The comprehensive security arrangements are designed to ensure the safety of legislators, staff, and visitors, and to enable the smooth functioning of the democratic process. The police have worked in coordination with the Assembly authorities to implement these measures, reflecting their commitment to maintaining a secure environment.
