NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Diwali season, the Delhi Police conducted a mock drill in the Khan Market area after receiving information about an unattended bag lying around in the vicinity.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Devesh Mahla spoke about the preparedness for the festival and said, "Ahead of Diwali, the Delhi Police is on high alert. Regular mock drills are being conducted. Today we conducted a mock drill in the Khan Market regarding an unattended bag."
He said their goal is to raise awareness among people, to inform the police in case they find any unattended articles or see any suspicious activity.
"The goal was also to raise awareness among the people that if any unattended article or any suspicious activity is detected, then they should inform the police and become the eyes and ears of the police. We are continuously patrolling all the markets and forces have been deployed," said the DCP.
The Delhi Police, Dog Squad, BDS (Bomb Disposal Squad), Crime Team, PCR, Centralized Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), and Delhi Fire Service carried out a mock drill in the Khan Market area ahead of the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Delhi Police personnel also patrolled Tilak Nagar market ahead of Diwali to ensure that the security measures were in place.
DCP West Vichitra Veer said they ensured adequate security arrangements in all markets in this district and started an awareness campaign 10 days ago.
"We have ensured adequate security arrangements in all markets in this district. We started an awareness campaign 10 days ago in every market, where we roped in every market association to sensitise people.
As the footfall in markets has started to increase, we have brought in new ways to ensure security. We have restricted the movement of vehicles in markets," he told reporters.
Earlier on Sunday, ahead of the festival celebrations, the Delhi Police confiscated a mobile network jammer from Palika Bazaar in the national capital, officials said.
Delhi Police reported that a suspicious electronic device was found in a shop during verification at Palika Bazaar. "This suspicious electronic device functions as a mobile network jammer," a police official stated.
Police confirmed that legal action would be pursued against the shopkeeper following verification of the device. "The verification of this device is ongoing. Selling any type of mobile network jammer is illegal.
Upon completion of verification, legal action will be taken against the shopkeeper," Delhi Police added.
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Amavasya, the 15th day of the month of Kartik.