Cops recruit volunteers to keep terror at bay in Sarojini Nagar market

Police have appointed 60 people as special volunteers in south Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar market to work as its ‘eyes and ears’ to avert any possible threat in the busy market.

“We have selected 60 volunteers from the people working in various shops of Sarojini Nagar market,” said a police officer in charge of the area.

“We have briefed them about their role which basically includes alerting the police about any strange person or article in the market, calming and controlling the crowd in the case of any rumour or actual terror act ,” the officer said.

Donning a fluorescent jacket and a badge, the volunteers will be spread across the bustling market, which faced bomb attacks in 2005.

The idea to make common citizens a part of the security arrangements was mooted by Delhi Police’s south district amid heightened threat perception ahead of January 26, coupled with the arrest of several terrorists from different parts of the country.

“We conducted several meetings with the residents and shopkeepers of the area, and after the interaction the idea to include people in the security arrangements materialised,” the officer added.

In the last couple of months, especially since the Pathankot attack, the threat perception in Delhi has increased manifold.

“In a busy market like Sarojini Nagar, relying only on police will not suffice. Hence, the people who work here need to share the responsibility also,” the officer said.

According to senior police officers, the initiative will be replicated in other parts of the city soon.