A day after a robbery of `12 lakh at Rajendra Nagar Metro station, the Central Industrial Security Force has issued a set of fresh security instructions banning any covering of face by commuters using

A day after a robbery of `12 lakh at Rajendra Nagar Metro station, the Central Industrial Security Force has issued a set of fresh security instructions banning any covering of face by commuters using any kind of cloth or cover like surgical masks, mufflers, burqa, dupatta or anti-pollution masks and caps.

CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh said that fresh security guidelines had been issued after the incident on Monday in which a Metro staffer was stabbed and robbed of `12 lakh in the control room by two men wearing masks. The two men, also captured on the CCTV, were wearing masks during their entry and exit at the station. The two men had kept their faces covered for entire 19 minutes during which they executed the robbery.

“Women wearing burqas will also have to uncover their faces in front of women security personnel inside frisking kiosk at Metro stations. It is a part of the security measures. We respect the privacy of an individual, but we can’t compromise with security,” said the CISF PRO.

Every commuter entering any Metro station will have to uncover their face while passing through security check. “Commuters can continue wearing masks during their journey, but they will have to uncover their faces while passing through security check gates,” he said.

“Only terminally ill or serious patients will be allowed to cover their faces using a mask or cover. Everyone else who uses a cover for a variety of reasons like beating heat, pollution or for fear of contracting infection will have to remove the face cover while getting frisked,” said Mr Singh.

“The measure was there in place and suspicious people were asked to remove face covers during frisking, but it will now be strictly implemented in all cases. This to ensure that all faces are seen by security personnel and are also captured on CCTV cameras for further use,” the CISF official said.

The force has moved its door-frame metal detectors and baggage X-ray machines closer towards the entry gate which entails passengers being frisked and their luggage being scanned much ahead as compared to the existing protocol.

A senior CISF official said only the security-hold area has been expanded and brought under the view of the security personnel and this measure will not add to any additional hassles.