Red alert in Delhi keeps weekend shoppers away

The US,Australia,Britain and Canada had issued fresh security advisories to their citizens on Saturday warning of “imminent” terror attacks in the Capital,prompting the government to increase vigil.

The major market areas in Connaught Place,Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar,saw drastic dip in footfall on Sunday.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said police mobilisation has taken effect and sufficient forces have been deployed at various locations in Delhi.

When asked whether cops were working overtime and their leaves were being cancelled due to the heightened vigil,Bhagat said nothing of that sort has been done.

At markets across the city,shop owners witnessed a decline in visitors on Sunday.

“The number of people coming to our restaurant fell by more than 50 per cent since yesterday evening. Security has been increased manifold. When I came here in the morning,I saw cops everywhere,” said Anil Kumar,assistant manager at Sancho’s,a Mexican restaurant in Connaught Place.

Sarojini Nagar market in South Delhi also wore a changed look,with security personnel everywhere. CCTV cameras monitored the market while announcements were being made continuously over the public address system,advising shoppers to be watchful.

“There is a drastic fall in the number of customers. The market looks almost empty today except for the large number of policemen guarding the area,” said Ashok Randhawa,a member of the Sarojini Nagar Market Association.

Security was also beefed up in Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar markets.

Police officers said apart from popular market areas,other locations also saw increased surveillance.

Prashant Rao,a resident of IP Extension in East Delhi,said,“Balco market is not one of the very popular areas in the city. In the past couple of days,khaki is visible from afar.”