By Amit Kumar, TwoCircles.net
Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force has made it clear that there is no ban on wearing a face mask, Burqa or Hijab in the Delhi Metro and that the person needs to remove them only during frisking.
Speaking with Twocircles.net, CISF Public Relations Officer Deputy Commandant Hemendra Singh clarified that the face needs to be uncovered only during security check. “This has been a standard procedure for a long time and there is no such rule that one cannot wear a Hijab or a Burqa while travelling in the Metro.” Singh, however, refused to comment on the incident of May 6 when Humera Khan was refused to board the Metro while wearing a Hijab and said that if there has been any such issue, the person can file a complaint.
On April 13, news agency PTI had done a story which said that in the wake of the Rajinder Nagar Heist on April 11, where two unidentified men stormed the control room and looted around Rs 12 lakh cash, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has issued a set of fresh instructions. Henecforth, covering of the face by travellers using any kind of cloth or cover like surgical masks, mufflers, ‘dupatta’ or anti-pollution caps was not allowed during frisking.
“The measure was there in place and suspicious people were asked to remove it during frisking but it will now be strictly implemented in all cases. This (is) to ensure that all faces are seen by security personnel and are also captured on CCTV cameras. In case there is an incident, everyone should be identifiable,” the PTI story quoted a CISF official.