In the wake of a series of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter, the Delhi Police has stepped up security in over 200 churches in the city on Sunday.
The police said they have deployed armed personnel across the city in and around churches.
Anti-terror vans
“We have deployed parakram [anti-terror vans] armed with policemen trained by National Security Guard [NSG] personnel outside the churches with high footfall. All visitors are allowed to enter church premises only after proper frisking,” said a senior officer. He added that the personnel in plain clothes have been deployed inside churches premises to keep a check on any untoward situation.
Spokesperson of the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese Father Savarimuthu Sankar said there are over 200 big churches in the city. He said they had a meeting with police officers regarding the security arrangements during the Good Friday and Easter celebrations.
“We have provided them complete assistance and also request visitors to cooperate with the policemen to keep our religious structures safe and free from any kind of attacks,” he said.
The prominent churches in the city include central Delhi’s Sacred Heart Cathedral near Gol Dak Khana roundabout, Cathedral Church of the Redemption at North Avenue, St. James’s Church in north Delhi’s Kashmere Gate, St. Thomas Church in R.K. Puram.
Joseph, a visitor at Sacred Heart Cathedral, said he has come to pray for the departed souls and wish for peace in the world.
Devender Arya, DCP (South-West) said they have deployed armed policemen at all of 80 churches under his jurisdiction. All SHOs have been instructed to intensify patrolling around church areas and supervise the staff.
A string of eight devastating blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Sunday killed 215 people.
