From January 15, any citizen living in the National Capital can be asked by police to produce his or her identity proof, failing which could land the person in trouble.

"The decision to verify the identity of citizens has been taken to step up security in the wake of recent terror attacks in various parts of the country. The checking would help prevent such incidents," Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna told reporters.

An order has been issued in this regard to the Delhi police, he added.

The checking would be carried out randomly and any individual can be asked to produce identity proof which could be photo identity card, ration card, passport or any other valid proof, Khanna said, adding that adequate publicity would be made about it in the city which has a population of about 1.6 crore.

Identity cards issued from the office or colleges or schools and election cards can also serve the purpose, he said.

"Hence to save themselves from any inconvenience, they should ensure that they carry their proof of identity with them when they are out of their homes," Khanna said.

He asserted the said decision was taken not to hassle the public but to ensure their safety.

In case an individual is unable to produce the proof, adequate action will be taken against the concerned person.

Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said, "We have already been taking such steps in the past as well but now the drive would be more often as directed by the Lieutenant Governor."