Delhi Police has stepped up security in the national capital as Independence Day approaches and tightened vigil at its borders even as it received inputs of a possible terror strike. While security agencies, including the Delhi Police have nearly implemented the security measures, the concern is on safety of common people during this grand celebration.
An extra layer of CCTVs equipped with facial recognition technique have been installed around the Red Fort where the national flag will be hoisted.
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Deployment of additional forces across the Capital
More than 10,000 security personnel including Delhi policemen and paramilitary forces will be deployed at the Red Fort and other important places in central & north Delhi. Aerial surveillance may also be carried out in its surrounding areas and the routes to be taken by VVIPs, guests. SWAT teams, snipers, and kite-catchers will also be positioned in key locations. Security has been further tightened in the wake of the recent arrest of a man who is suspected to have links with ISIS, besides intensified patrolling and checks by police to ensure a peaceful event. The arrested terrorist named Rizwan was plotting to carry out a possible attack on VIPs in Delhi-NCR.
Surveillance and monitoring enhancements
Security agencies are going to use artificial intelligence-based systems with AI-assisted surveillance and automated crowd estimation features around the Red Fort on Independence Day this year. The venue will have CCTVs installed with video analytics deployed at various places. The system will be AI-based and feature vehicle number plate recognition, facial detection, people counting, tripwire alerts, audio detection, intrusion alerts, as well as defocus warning notifications and abandoned/missing object monitoring.
Using AI-enhanced cameras, an official said they will monitor the entrance and exit flow of people with the help of these smart cameras. The advanced Facial Recognition System (FRS) will scan faces in real-time and through playback modes, alerting the control room by matching data from a “Watch List” database.
The Number Plate Recognition (NPR) system will use continuous real-time video processing to detect vehicles, capturing images and storing data related to any violations. It will interface with several cameras and sensors that capture driver images.
Heightened security at Key Locations
With the Red Fort being at the focal venue for the celebration, security around this historical monument has been multiplied. Multi-layered security arrangements, such as anti-sabotage checks, sniffer dogs, and quick response teams for any eventuality have been made. Important places like India Gate, government offices, and foreign embassies are also under high-security cover. A team of central intelligence agencies and all concerned security agencies had visited the Red Fort earlier and reportedly held a review meeting over Sunday for the Independence Day event.
Patrols have been increased, and specific locations are off-limits to ensure that every available precaution is leveraged to protect these crucial sites. Security personnel are also deployed at Delhi borders to check the vehicles entering the city. The same arrangements are also made at Red Fort as well.
Public safety and citizen engagement
To keep the Independence Day celebration peaceful and free of incidents, the Delhi Police has been issuing several public safety guidelines. The public is being asked to have an ID on them at all times, and not bring large bags or prohibited items—such as guns or knives. Guidelines regarding the operation of metro have also been released. Police are also using social media to inform the public about various safety measures, and community members familiar with security protocols have been going out for outreach.
Helplines and emergency contact numbers have been distributed to the majority, with full-fledged calls for immediate reporting at any sighting of strange activities.
