Security goes for a toss, nakas sans cops

AMRITSAR: Even as the city police claimed to have tightened the security arrangements all over the city in the aftermath of the terrorist attack at Dinanagar in Gurdaspur which left as many as seven persons killed and several other injured the deserted nakas in various parts of the city tell a different tale

Updated At : 06:23 AM Aug 01, 2015 IST

<p>The bunker on the vital Amritsar-Gurdaspur road without any policeman</p> <p> </p>

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 31

Even as the city police claimed to have tightened the security arrangements all over the city in the aftermath of the terrorist attack at Dinanagar in Gurdaspur which left as many as seven persons killed and several other injured, the deserted nakas in various parts of the city tell a different tale.

In a knee-jerk reaction to the attack, the police installed temporary bunkers outside all police stations at the various intersections and the entry and exit points. Nevertheless, a day after, there are no policemen at these bunkers to strengthen security in the city.

The holy city has landmark tourist destinations with a number of places of immense religious and historic importance. One of the important events held here is beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check-Post which sees thousands of people coming to the city.

A Tribune team visited many parts of the city in the early morning and afternoon hours to see the security arrangements in view of the high alert sounded in India.

One of the bunkers has been set up on the Verka road that connects Gurdaspur to Amritsar. This is a vital road which further connects Jammu and Kashmir with the country. However, this bunker was found unmanned. In the aftermath of the terrorist attack that shook the nation, it was necessary to have police personnel guarding the entry and the exit points to the city. With the confirmation by the Union Government that the terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan via the Gurdaspur sector, it becomes all the more important to keep a close watch on this route.

Besides, almost all nakas were found without any policemen. The Tribune team visited Hall Gate, Hathi Gate, Durgiana Mandir, the Circular road, Town Hall, Golden Temple, the area near Dharm Singh Market , Crystal Chowk, SSSS Chowk, Celebration Mall, etc.

Officialspeak

"It is not practically possible to depute policemen on all nakas permanently. We have put up need-based nakas which could be shifted to other places, according to requirement." -- Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Police Commissioner