What is Operation Aaghat 3.0, Delhi Police’s crackdown ahead of New Year?
New Year celebrations in the National Capital Region are known to sometimes get unsavoury, even violent. To curb such unneeded enthusiasm the Delhi Police has come up with a new operation, titled Operation Aaghat 3.0, which seems to be working well.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police has launched an operation to curb crimes ahead of the New Year celebrations. Titled Operation Aaghat 3.0, under it the security across the country’s capital has been tightened, with special focus on reining in drunken driving, traffic violations and unruly behaviour.
Much-needed move
According to senior police officers, Operation Aaghat 3.0 was envisaged as a preventive and deterrent exercise to ensure public safety ahead of and during the New Year. The capital sees a surge in crime during the New Year celebrations and the initiative is in line with this rise and an attempt to preemptively curb it.
As part of the operation, the Delhi Police carried out coordinated raids and checks across vulnerable areas of two districts. The joint operation launched by the South and South East district police led to the arrest of more than 660 people. According to ANI, as police conducted checks, as many as 1,306 people were rounded up overnight under preventive measures.
Apparent success
Under the action, the police reported that over 280 people were taken into custody from the South East district alone during the increased security drive. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) South East Hemant Tiwari was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI that, "285 accused have been arrested under the Excise Act, [Narcotics Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances] NDPS Act and Gambling Act. A total of 504 persons were apprehended under preventive action, while 116 Bad Characters were also apprehended.” Ten property offenders were also apprehended, further added.
Additionally, more than 350 people were nabbed for consuming liquor in public places. About 850 people were also detained in the two districts to ensure crime-free celebrations. "The major focus of the entire drive was against organised crime, especially drug peddlers, bootleggers, gamblers, and habitual offenders. The message was loud and clear to the criminals and street crimes,” the Joint CP said.
Further police seized illicit items and recovered stolen mobiles. Recovery of 21 country-made pistols, 20 live cartridges and 27 knives was also made as part of the operation. Apart from violent crime, another major concern during this time of celebration is drug-related incidents. The operation also saw to combat this, as the Delhi Police seized 12,258 quarters of illicit liquor and over six kg of ganja during raids.
The operation has been successful as the numbers attest, but with the New Year coming closer, more preparations are underway. Around 20,000 police personnel, including traffic police and paramilitary forces, will reportedly be deployed across the city on New Year's Eve. Security has been heightened at borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as well, with many people expected to come from these areas into the national capital as part of the celebrations.