Policemen in civvies to thwart hooligans

NEW DELHI: The Valentine's Day celebrations in the city will be held under the shadow of security. After the shocking attack on women pub-goers in Mangalore in January, Delhi Police is not taking any chances.
Said the Delhi Police PRO, ACP Rajan Bhagat, "We have made elaborate security arrangements at all sensitive spots where there is likely to be some trouble.The deployed personnel will include police in plainclothes, women cops, mobile and armed brigades.''
Policemen will be deployed near restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, gift shops, multiplexes and on Delhi University campuses to ensure that vigilante groups don't get unruly with couples celebrating the special day. The managements of various likely targets have also stepped up their own security measures.
These arrangements seem to have had some deterring effect on the outfits that usually protest on Valentine's Day. While Bajrang Dal has announced that it won't be protesting at all, Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena said that they would only "advise'' people against celebrating this "marketing tactic by big companies.''
"Valentine's Day encourages eve-teasing and molestation of our sisters under the garb of celebrating love. The police, which claims to be understaffed when they have to prevent crimes, is shielding such people and is not feeling the staff crunch despite deploying the entire force toward this frivolous cause. Our team of 100 people would be out there creating an understanding about how immoral this celebration is. We won't force anyone, we will try to convince them,'' said Jai Bhagwan Goyal, head of Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena. "We will burn several Valentine's Day cards on North Campus as a mark of our protest,'' he added.
When asked to comment on the sensual nature of ancient Khajuraho sculptures, Goyal said, "Those sculptures don't walk out on the streets do they? We had several things happening in the past which were not correct. Just like the evil practice of child marriage was abolished, this too should end now.''
Bajrang Dal spokesperson Manoj Bansal said that while they will not protest, they will advise people against celebrating on February 14.
"Hum toh prem ke pujari hain (we are worshippers of love). But Valentine's Day in not our festival. We only want the youth to celebrate with some decency. We have written to the police and the pub-owners urging them not to be a part of this,'' Bansal said.
Meanwhile, Panther's Party has vowed to keep fundamentalist troublemakers away. "Our members will be deputed at all popular places armed with pepper spray and chilly powder to tackle the spoilers. We are countering violence with non-violence,'' said Sanjoy Sachdev, president of the party.