No easy explanations for rise in communal flare-ups: Home Secy

There is no easy answer to why communal tensions are aggravating in the city, Delhi Principal Secretary Home Arvind Ray said on Thursday, attributing the trend to a mix of factors.

He also exuded confidence of successfully handling US President Barack Obama’s visit to the city on the Republic Day 26 and the Assembly polls – if the voting is held around the time of Obama’s visit.

“The Delhi Police is already on the job of intelligence gathering in view of a possible terror attack around Obama’s visit,” he said.

Talking to mediapersons here on the recent communal flare ups, the Home Secretary said: “The probes in all incidents have revealed that these involved arguments between known people which later assume communal colour.”

“It is for the sociologists to explain the trend,” he said.

Ray said for about two-three years there has been a trend of mass protests in the city – including Baba Ramdev’s anti-graft protest, Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption protest and the public outrage after the gang-rape of a paramedic in Munirka.

On the issue of religious sentiments, he said there are 1,154 cases under consideration of a committee constituted by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to consider removal or relocation of unauthorised religious structures on public land.
Out of the 41 cases discussed in the committee, in the 19 cases it was recommended that the religious structure be removed.

While over 500 women constables have joined the force, more personnel are likely to join in phases. He said the government has also sanctioned 7,200 vacancies of home guards to assist police in maintaining internal security.

On the issue of Bus Rapid Transit corridor in south Delhi, Ray said the police have said that the corridor was not acceptable in the current form.

Admitting that the jails in Delhi are overcrowded, he said 14,537 inmates are housed in jails which have a capacity for 6,250 prisoners.

“Things will improve with the opening of the Mandoli Jail which will take 3,776 prisoners,” he said.

In view of the recent crimes at bank ATMs, the Home Secretary said the department was in touch with the Reserve Bank of India, banks and security agencies over training and safety issues.

“Regulation of security agencies has also been taken up. At present 571 security agencies in Delhi have been granted licence,” he said.

On security of school kids and verification of school van drivers, he said the police and the transport department were in touch with schools for collective action.
Ray said action has also been taken for improving the speed of prosecution in criminal cases. Till October 31, trial was pending in 1,50,089 cases in magistrate and sessions courts.