With the city's crime graph continuing its upward movement and with the police remaining clueless, the companies of the paramilitary forces have begun patrolling in the South, South-West and the West districts.

The Union Home Ministry has sent 11 companies of paramilitary forces for the next three weeks to assist the police in patrolling the crime-prone areas. Of these, eight companies belong to the Central Reserve Police Force and three to the Central Industrial Security Force. This means an additional force of 1,200 personnel for the crime-torn Capital.

The last time the paramilitary forces were called in was in December 1992, after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, when the walled city was on the verge of a communal riot.

Usually, a few companies of theparamilitary forces are always ready and waiting at the border of the Capital. They are summoned either to control a riot situation or in case of calamity but never to check the crime in the city.

This unprecedented decision was taken by Union Home Minister L K Advani after his meeting yesterday with Delhi Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor and other top officials in the wake of the double murders.