Scarecrows make SN market ‘safest’

Three days after the Lok Sabha was informed that CCTV at Sarojini Nagar market were not functioning, the south district police felicitated the market association as the “best market” for complying with all security parameters.

Three days after the Lok Sabha was informed that close circuit television cameras (CCTV) at Sarojini Nagar market were not functioning, the south district police felicitated the market association as the “best market” for complying with all security parameters.

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On December 15, Delhi Police had informed Lok Sabha that CCTV’s at Nehru Place, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar and Central Market Lajpat Nagar were not functioning.

Mullappally Ramachandran, minister of state (MoS) for Home Affairs, while replying to a question on ‘surveillance devices’, had said that any shortcomings noticed in the functioning of the devices were taken up with concerned firms so that they could be restored. Delhi Police functions under the MHA.

On December 18, at a police-community interaction, the south district police felicitated the Sarojini Nagar market association for complying with all the security norms.

“There were five parameters on which the security compliance and alertness were judged. The number and functioning of CCTVs and checking of vehicles were two points on which they were rated. We are aware that CCTV camera is not functioning at the market; overall, it was found complying with all the norms,” said HGS Dhaliwal, deputy commissioner of police (south).

Delhi Police had informed that the supply order for installation of CCTV system in Sarojini Nagar market was given to a Gurgaon-based company “but the firm has not completed the project so far.

“Now the case is under litigation and pending with an arbitrator Manju Goel, retired Justice (High Court),” Delhi Police said in reply to the Lok Sabha.

In October 2005, serial bomb blasts rocked Delhi and Sarojini Nagar market was one of the worst affected. The bombers who planted the explosives in the market have not been traced yet and the lack of camera footage was cited as a reason.

“None of the bombers were traced and only financiers and handlers were arrested. The CCTV footage would have at least helped us in ascertaining their identity,” said a senior police officer.

The installation of cameras at Sarojini Nagar has entered litigation, with the firm alleging that Delhi Police had not paid it dues of Rs 60 lakh.

“It (CCTV) is very important as far as security is concerned. We have public address system functioning here and the market association is trained to handle any kind of emergency,” said Ashok Randhawa of Sarojini Nagar market association.

On September 13, 2008 when serial blasts again rocked the city, CCTV footage from M Block market in Greater Kailash-I provided evidence against the alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) bombers.