The issue of strict security measures in the Capital on Thursday for a smooth Beijing Olympic torch relay echoed in Lok Sabha too, with Samajwadi Party and BJP members assailing the government for turning Delhi into a "police camp".
Raising the matter during the Zero Hour, SP leader Mohan Singh said the Olympic spirit was that of international brotherhood but the city had been converted into a "police camp".
Several offices had been vacated, roads sealed, barricades put up at various places near the route and police and paramilitary forces deployed in "massive strength", he said.
BJP's V K Malhotra said 15,000 policemen had been deployed for the safety of the torch whereas the city was turning into "the crime capital" of the country with about 10 incidents of rape, killings and kidnappings being reported every day.
He said while the Olympics were a symbol of fraternity, the city has been converted into a "cantonment".
"The law and order of Delhi falls directly under the Union Home Minister. He should either quit or take measures to see that the growing crime graph in the city is contained," Malhotra said.
The BJP leader also demanded increasing the number of the Delhi Police personnel, saying that the practice of deploying large number of policemen for VIP security should be stopped.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP leader also demanded increasing the number of the Delhi Police personnel, saying that the practice of deploying large number of policemen for VIP security should be stopped.
{{/usCountry}}Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said "I think we are also in favour of the Olympics".