Apprehending stir, Delhi top cop orders all hands on deck

Apprehensions over the worsening condition of the 23-year-old gangrape victim and massive crowd at protests, the Delhi Police have cancelled leaves of all its officers.

Apprehensions over the worsening condition of the 23-year-old gangrape victim and massive crowd at protests, the Delhi Police have cancelled leaves of all its officers.

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According to sources, the decision has been taken keeping in mind that protesters might turn up in large numbers over the weekend. Protesters had gathered in huge numbers at India Gate last weekend. Sources said this time the police do not want to leave anything to chance.

Sources added that Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar issued a notice at 4pm on Friday, directing all officers across ranks to report to work at their assigned duty spots at 9am on Saturday.

Usually, Saturday and Sunday is off for senior officers but for the next two days, all of them have been asked to report to work. Also, policemen who are currently on leave have been asked to join work by Saturday. The order issued by the top cop stands till further orders.

The New Delhi area, where protesters gathered in large numbers, will again be turned into a fortress. Deployment of the force in the area has been finalised. Apart from New Delhi, police will be on law and order duty in all sensitive areas prone to any kind of protest from early morning.

Senior police officers believe that this order will continue till the conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.