<![CDATA[According to an order, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has asked officials to establish ‘Machans’ or watch towers for surveillance and also increase the number of armed security guards posted at the Civic Center. According to a senior official, “The officials have been asked to establish ‘Machans’ in and around the Civic Center to increase vigilance. Also, the total number of armed guards stationed at the Civic Center will be increased from their current 21 to 100”. The move by the councillors comes days after eight AAP MLAs approached the Delhi Assembly speaker asking for the installation of CCTV cameras in their assembly offices. The Civic Center is divided into five blocks and apart from serving as the headquarters of North and South Delhi Municipal Corporation, it also houses the Income Tax Department. The civic body has a strong army of 400 guards deployed throughout the office building to ensure safety with an annual expense of R7.45 crore, borne by stakeholders. The increase in security has been ordered to tackle any possible future terrorist threat or a hostage situation, senior leaders say. ]]>
