Let armed cops take the Metro: Delhi Police seeks exception during crisis

Currently, police personnel can’t travel on the Metro with their weapons.

Sources said the request was prompted by an incident earlier this month when a Delhi Police sub-inspector was caught on camera kicking men offering namaz on a road outside a mosque in Inderlok. While the SI, Manoj Kumar Tomar (35), was suspended with immediate effect, security personnel had to be called in from nearby districts to prevent any tension in the area. They, however, got stuck in traffic and couldn’t get to the spot in time.

A senior police officer said after this incident, the Delhi Police Commissioner discussed the preventive action taken by personnel.

“It came to light that while local police reached the spot on time, other personnel, especially those coming from other areas, took more time due to protests over the incident and traffic snarls in the connecting area. A JCP-rank officer then suggested that they should start sending their personnel and outside forces on the Metro so they can reach on time — without facing any traffic snarls,” the officer said.

During the discussion, the officer said a plan was outlined: In the event of a crisis, a police officer would inform CISF and Metro officials about their numbers in advance and board the Metro. “On reaching their destination, police vehicles of the district concerned would come to receive them,” the officer said.

Another officer said since the Lok Sabha election dates have been announced, this could also be part of the Delhi Police’s security plan to prevent any untoward situations.
After the meeting, police said it was decided to approach DMRC and CISF for their permission. “The proposal was shared with both agencies a few days ago; their final approval on paper is awaited,” an officer said.

Police have also requested the CISF to provide entry to their personnel, and they would coordinate with the DMRC to pay their bills.