CAA: police in Delhi, Noida bolster security fearing repeat of 2020 protests

Security arrangements have been beefed up in Delhi and surrounding areas hours after the Centre announced implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Delhi Police said it will focus on sensitive areas and increase drone surveillance.

Officers from the Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed in public areas of Noida while senior officers started on-ground inspections.

Massive protests broke out across the country in early 2020 after the bill was passed in the parliament in December 2019.

“We have made arrangements in the North East district. Our experience in 2020 was unpleasant which resulted in heavy loss,” Delhi North East DCP Joy Tirkey told ANI.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shivhari Meena said, "Patrolling has been started by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police in view of upcoming festivals, Lok Sabha elections and the current sensitive situation. Paramilitary, local police and PAC teams are on the ground while all intelligence units are alert."

"We are keeping a constant watch on crowded locations, places that have mixed populations, and religious sites. We are also monitoring social media. The police are on the ground to ensure law and order are under control," Meena said.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it. Many opposition parties spoke out against the law, calling it "discriminatory".

(With PTI inputs)

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