Expressing deep concerns over the firing incident at Jama Masjid area here on Sunday, the Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly V.K. Malhotra on Sunday said that despite the area being sensitive, “the assailants were able to fire 7 to 8 rounds and escaped unchallenged”.
“Jama Masjid area is normally considered a sensitive area and has requisite police presence and there was a police station nearby as well. That, in spite of this, the assailants were able to fire 7 to 8 rounds and escape unchallenged is a matter of grave concern,” Prof. Malhotra said.
The Delhi BJP leader said that such incidents before the Commonwealth Games and the Ayodhya verdict “put a question mark on the police and security preparedness” in the city.
“Security agencies have time and again indicated that Delhi is on the target of terrorists. Today’s incident is extremely worrisome in that context. There was a proposal to install CCTVs at all prominent markets and sensitive areas. Why were such cameras not placed in the Jama Masjid area,” the senior leader asked.
Asking Union home minister P. Chidambaram to take immediate and effective steps to bolster security measures, Prof. Malhotra said, “Only yesterday, Mr Chidambaram had said that security arrangements in Delhi were 120 per cent. This claim has been proved to be hollow.”
Putting a question mark on the security preparedness, Prof. Malhotra said, “Local residents of the area have said that there was information of a mock drill in the area. The police should clarify whether there was in fact any mock drill scheduled in the area or it was a rumour spread by the assailants in preparation of their attack.”
He, however, appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain peace and not to panic.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Vijay Jolly also condemned the terror attack on foreign tourists and said that the incident has exposed “the hollow claims of full security cover on the eve of Games in Delhi”.