Increase security for students: Cabinet secy

Terming them “the softest of soft targets”, the Cabinet Secretariat has asked Delhi Police to beef up security at schools and colleges, reports Vijaita Singh.

Terming them “the softest of soft targets”, the Cabinet Secretariat has asked Delhi Police to beef up security at schools and colleges.

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In a written communication, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar has asked the Commissioner of Police to “heighten security in schools and colleges”.

The letter to the police chief read: “Over the last few days, I have received a number of telephone calls from dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Delhi, on the need to heighten security in schools and colleges.”

Senior police officers said soon after the Mumbai terror attacks, patrolling outside schools had increased and school authorities were also told to hire security guards and sensitize children about the issue.

“Soon after the Mumbai attacks, we contacted the police and police control room (PCR) vans were deployed at the gates. Our security guards and officers man the main school gate and we do not allow any unauthorised person. Any kind of meeting is conducted only through appointments,” said Jyoti Bose, Principal, Springdales, Dhaula Kuan.

The letter dated December 8th further read, “these institutions constitute the softest of soft targets and we need to find ways in which they can be provided with some security. These could include intensive use of security related technology, frequent movement of police vans and jeeps in the vicinity of these institutions and meetings with parent teacher associations to persuade them to put in place sound security systems.”