Almost a month ago, an unattended small bag kept on a cycle outside a shoe shop in Lajpat Nagar's central market sparked panic. This led to closure of the market ahead of its regular time and the entire area was cordoned off. Movements were normalised after an hour, when the Delhi Police's bomb detection squad declared the bag as harmless. A week later, the market witnessed a similar event.
Residents, shop owners and members of market association say that in the wake of London, Paris, Berlin attacks, and the most recent one in Barcelona, they are more alert and vigilant than ever before.
On Wednesday, when DNA visited the market to assess the security arrangements it came across unmanned door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) and empty police posts.
Members of the market association say that with inadequate cameras there, keeping an eye on more than 1,000 shops is not an easy task. However, they claim to have hired private guards who ensure a tighter vigil.
"The market is an open area and there are no enclosures to regulate visitors entry and exits. We barely have half a dozen cameras installed by the police. Unfortunately, only half of them work. It is the cameras installed by the shop owners, which helps police in ensuring a tight watch. In addition, the association has hired ten guards, six during day and four for night," said Yoginder Dawar, president of the Central Market association.
Dawar added that the market has good security, and police always cooperates when need arises. He also said that the association recently had a meeting with senior police officers of southeast district to formulate a plan to install 150 additional CCTV cameras in the market.
On May 21, 1996, the market was turned into piles of blood-drenched clothes and accessories when a bomb blast left 13 people dead and several injured. Jammu Kashmir Islamic Front — a terrorist outfit — was held responsible for the blasts. Even though the market gained its pace back, the residents who witnessed the horror remain vigilant to any sound of high decibel, even till date.
Rajinder Sahni, who once owned a shop in the market and lives near the market, said he cannot forget what he witnessed that day. "I was a little ahead of my house when through my friends from the locality told me that a blast had taken place. My family members did not allow me to go to the spot as they were scared there might be more blasts in the area. I was told that the blasts tore limbs off of people and there was blood all over the place. We still get goosebumps whenever we hear any sound of high decibel," said Sahni.
Rakhi Narang, who visits the market often from her house in Alaknanda, says she has barely seen any cop or guards asking to get her bag checked or body check. "People should not mind when asked to get frisked. Even at airport we go through the process because it is enforced upon us. This rule should be followed everywhere. If police enforces this, people will have to follow. This will improve our safety standards. Otherwise I don't see it difficult for any terror outfit to target the market," said Narang, a BTech student.
LAJPAT NAGAR
Market – Lajpat Nagar
Footfall – 80,000 to 1 lakh
Location – next to Defence Colony, 4 km from JLN Stadium
Known for – apparels to household, accessories to decoratives
