Yakub execution: Mumbai cops on 24-hour duty from Wednesday

With 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon slated to be hanged in Nagpur jail on July 30 and his funeral likely to be held in Mumbai, the city police’s detection and surveillance staff will be on 24-hour duty in uniform from Wednesday.

With 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon slated to be hanged in Nagpur jail on July 30 and his funeral likely to be held in Mumbai, the city police’s detection and surveillance staff will be on 24-hour duty in uniform from Wednesday.

Yakub Memon, the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts convict, at a TADA court. (Kunal Patil/HT file photo)

The policemen have been told to patrol the streets to prevent unrest and have specific instructions from police commissioner Rakesh Maria to ignore any provocation.

Among other things, police will fortify potential terror targets, including those listed by 26/11 terror attacks convict David Coleman Headley, sites targeted in previous attacks, malls and temples. There will be extended vigilance in communally sensitive pockets up to August.

The anti-terror cells (ATC) of every police station have already been gathering intelligence in sensitive areas to prevent flare-ups in the days leading up to Memon’s execution. Now, they will brief senior inspectors every day on developments in their areas; the inspectors will pass on the information to the deputy commissioners of police.

“Security at night is another priority, so an inspector will have to be on duty every night. Meetings with the mohalla and peace committees have also begun and we are focusing on keeping things in control. Women officers and beat marshals will not be sent to places where they could be attacked,” said a police officer, who did not wish to be named.

The police will also prevent outfits from putting up provocative posters or bursting firecrackers, and carry out preventive arrests of habitual offenders.