Delhi CM Rekha Gupta celebrates Holi with Rohini shelter home children.  
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Ahead of Holi and Ramzan Friday prayers, the Delhi police have heightened security across the Capital, an officer said on Thursday. Over 25,000 personnel of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order.

Nearly 300 sensitive areas have been identified, and the police will keep a strict vigil in these areas through drones and CCTV cameras, the officer said, adding that north-east Delhi will remain under drone surveillance throughout the day. In February 2020, communal riots broke out in north-east Delhi claiming 53 lives.

The police have urged the market welfare associations and resident welfare associations to ensure the peaceful conduct of the festival. The officer said police personnel also met the imams of various mosques to seek their cooperation in preventing any untoward incident.

“We have been holding meetings with Aman (peace) committees in every district since Holi and Ramzan’s Friday prayers are on the same day. The committees are cooperative and in touch with us,” the officer said, adding that the meetings will also be carried out on Friday morning to promote communal harmony and discourage the spread of rumours.

A Delhi Traffic Police officer said personnel will be deployed at major road intersections, and special teams have been formed to check drunken driving, triple-riding, and other violations.

Holi at Asha Kiran

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta celebrated Holi with the children at Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini on Thursday. An official said she also interacted with them about their needs.

Ms. Gupta instructed concerned officials to visit the shelter home regularly, the official added. In 2024, the government-run facility had come under scrutiny after it was reported that 14 inmates had died at the shelter home. The then Chief Minister Atishi had ordered a probe into the incident. Ms. Gupta, then a councillor, had alleged that she was not allowed to visit the shelter home.