NEW DELHI:Central Delhi has finally opened up after more than two weeks of heightened security amid protests by several organisations.While security arrangements have been eased, police and paramilitary forces remain at key locations.
Barricades remained on the sides along several roads including Barakhamba Road, the inner circle, Sansad Marg and Janpath, but no police personnel were present at the spot during HT’s visit in the afternoon. Along the Connaught Place outer circle, personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were seen sitting in at least four buses and standing on the footpath. At least four buses carrying paramilitary personnel were parked in the area. Delhi Police personnel were also seen deployed at intervals along the park’s boundary, indicating that security arrangements remained in place.
All companies of paramilitary officials called in for deployment remained on standby, a police officer aware of the matter said. “However, the Central Park did not reopen on Sunday and Monday,” said an official deployed along its boundary. “Officials who were deployed in the Capital on protest duty are on standby for now,” a senior police officer said.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had announced that Central Park would remain closed on Friday and Saturday.
