Lack of police in outer areas jeopardizes security

The shooting at the Karkarduma Metro station on Tuesday afternoon has raised concerns over security at 'dark spots' - areas not secured by CCTV cameras and CISF personnel.

The shooting at the Karkarduma Metro station on Tuesday afternoon has raised concerns over security at 'dark spots' - areas not secured by CCTV cameras and CISF personnel.

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Though the Delhi Police do not have enough manpower to patrol such areas, they are responsible for security outside Metro stations. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), on the other hand, is responsible for main station area. At elevated stations with multiple floors, the CISF begins security checks on the first or second floor, leaving the ground floor unmanned.

According to officials, there have been meetings with agencies to deploy security personnel in such areas but the Delhi Police have been unable to do so due to shortage of staff.

"We have 200 personnel under the railway unit of the Delhi Police while our demand is 2,000 personnel," a senior Delhi Police official said. Out of the total of 145 Metro stations, a majority comes under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Police. Since the CISF frisk passengers in the main station area, the Delhi Police have to take responsibility of the entry/exit points and parking lots.

"Before a passengers reaches the CISF security point, they cross a sizeable area that has no security cover. It is important to increase police presence in these areas to deter criminals. Though the Tuesday shooting is not a result of poor police presence, we need to increase patrolling in station areas," the officer added.