Scan ammonium nitrate sales, used vehicle purchases: Delhi L-G to police after Red Fort blast

The L-G also ordered police to hold consultations with heads of X and Meta to tackle radicalised content.

Following the Red Fort blast, Delhi L-G V K Saxena mandated strict security measures, including digital tracking of ammonium nitrate and second-hand vehicles. (File)

Holding consultations with heads of X and Meta to tackle radicalised content, tracking sale of ammonium nitrate and second-hand vehicles: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has directed the Police Commissioner and the Chief Secretary to undertake a series of precautionary and preventive measures in the wake of November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 12 people.

The directions assume relevance as the suspected Red Fort ‘bomber’, a doctor named Umar Nabi, had allegedly bought a second-hand car — used in the explosion — that had changed multiple hands before it reached him. A large cache of ammonium nitrate was also seized from the co-accused in a terror module case, whose role in the blast is also being investigated.

In a written communication, the L-G office said: “… Police must maintain a digital record of entities purchasing and selling ammonium nitrate beyond a certain threshold, including photographs of buyers and sellers apart from other relevant details.

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The L-G also directed the Police Commissioner to revisit the 2022 Standing Order for licensing of sale, storage and transport of ammonium nitrate “in exercise of powers conferred under Delhi Police Act, 1978, read with Explosive Act, 1884 and Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012”.

Further, the Delhi Police has also been asked to consult with heads of social media platforms including Meta, Twitter [X] etc. for “scientific tracking of radicalised content aimed at brainwashing citizens”.

The administration has been ordered to hold a consultation exercise with all digital platforms and financiers engaged in sale and purchase of vehicles, especially second-hand vehicles. “Clear directions should be given that under no circumstance will vehicles be allowed to ply where the actual owner is different from the registered owner,” officials from the L-G Office said.

Directions have also been issued to create a central data repository, containing records of doctors and para-medical staff engaged by hospitals — especially private ones — along with details of their medical degrees. “In cases where medical professionals have secured degrees from foreign countries, information should also be shared with the police department for secondary background checks,” said officials.

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Other directions include:

All DCPs have been advised to undertake a rigorous security audit of busy markets and public places that see high footfall including ISBTs, railway stations, cinema halls, parks, Metro stations etc.

“In particular, the audit should focus on a deployment plan of security personnel, beat roster and existing CCTV network. In case there are dark spots where additional CCTV coverage is required, a consolidated reference may be compiled and sent to the Chief Secretary for such installation where necessary,” said the letter undersigned by the Principal Secretary to the L-G.

The police intelligence network should be strengthened, both through human and tech intel, with a focus on vulnerable areas prone to radicalisation, said officials.

Besides, the government and police have also been asked to enhance community outreach and citizen engagement for more robust preventive policing.

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