Cops to clamp down in Connaught Place on new year’s eve

NEW DELHI: It's unlikely to be a particularly joyous New Year's eve in central Delhi, with the police planning a clamp-down in the area. Metro stations around Connaught Place and India Gate will be shut in the evening while revellers hoping to visit the city's entertainment hub will have to brave a three-layer security ring.
According to top police sources, section 144 might be clamped in the area and only those with invitations to parties will be allowed entry.“Those seeking to spend time at restaurants and pubs must be prepared for security checks. We will not shut down any entertainment zone in the area but all pubs will be shut by 12.30am and eateries by 1am. We will stick to the deadline under all circumstances,’’ said an officer.
Besides adding to the strength of uniformed men on the streets, plainclothes policemen and women constables will be deputed in Lutyens' zone to prevent harassment of women. “Under no circumstances will young men be allowed to roam around in groups challenging the law. We will be stopping young groups and checking them. Anti-drunk driving checks will be bolstered,’’ said the officer.
The officer added that cops do not want to harass genuine revellers but the law and order situation would get first priority. “The law and order situation in the city is our top priority though revellers have nothing to feel intimidated about. In truth, we will be adding nothing new to the dos and don’ts list that we had been releasing for the past several years. Only this time, with the terror threat looming large, we will be making our presence felt on the ground and the cops will be asked to actively implement all our decisions,’’ said the officer.
The officer added that shutting down the Metro stations was a necessary evil. ``We will try to shut down these stations as late as possible. However, trouble makers often use the Metro to assemble at Rajiv Chowk and it becomes difficult to control them,’’ said the officer. Last year, two Delhi Metro stations in Connaught Place were closed from 8 pm in view of restrictions in the area on the occasion of New Year. Entry into and exit from Rajiv Chowk and Barakhamba Road stations was closed after prior announcement. However, interchange facility at Rajiv Chowk station was not affected.