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Police to step up security during Durga Puja in WB
Kolkata, Sept 15: The state and city police will step up vigil in the metropolis and other areas during Durga Puja to thwart attempts by groups to cause disturbance during West Bengal`s biggest four-day festival beginning October 2.
Kolkata, Sept 15: The state and city police will step up vigil in the metropolis and other areas during Durga Puja to thwart attempts by groups to cause disturbance during West Bengal's biggest four-day festival beginning October 2.
"The vigil at crowded places, big 'puja pandals' will certainly be on a higher scale this time as compared to last year" in the wake of a recent intelligence report which warned about possible attacks at sensitive places and vital installations," state's Director General of Police D C Vajpai said today.
Besides deployment of policemen in `mufti' and plain dress in large numbers, he said that personnel of the combat force and police commandos would also be kept in readiness for any quick action. "We are certainly stepping up our security arrangements in collaboration with other investigating agencies but I cannot divulge details of the elaborate arrangement because of strategic interest," the DGP said adding police were confident of ensuring a peaceful puja like in past.
Recent incidents like seizure of large amount of AK-47 ammunition from south Kolkata, the central intelligence feedback also made the Kolkata Police sit up and beef up security on puja days. Commissioner of Police, Sujoy Chakraborty said, "We are taking some additional measures besides the usual deployment of police personnel, as happened in the past years."
This included keeping watch on the crowd from towers built at few select locations, mostly frequented by the public. There would also be close circuit TVs.
Besides carbine-toting policemen of armed police force, 15 per cent of the total city police strength, will be kept ready. There are 14,000 police personnel in the city police most of whom would be on the street during the festive days, Chakraborty said.
"Meanwhile our cell is already keeping close watch on vital installations including important buildings and stations market places and other crowded areas of the state besides sensitive areas inhabited by mixed population in the run-up to the pujas," Vajpai said. Bureau Report
Besides deployment of policemen in `mufti' and plain dress in large numbers, he said that personnel of the combat force and police commandos would also be kept in readiness for any quick action. "We are certainly stepping up our security arrangements in collaboration with other investigating agencies but I cannot divulge details of the elaborate arrangement because of strategic interest," the DGP said adding police were confident of ensuring a peaceful puja like in past.
Recent incidents like seizure of large amount of AK-47 ammunition from south Kolkata, the central intelligence feedback also made the Kolkata Police sit up and beef up security on puja days. Commissioner of Police, Sujoy Chakraborty said, "We are taking some additional measures besides the usual deployment of police personnel, as happened in the past years."
This included keeping watch on the crowd from towers built at few select locations, mostly frequented by the public. There would also be close circuit TVs.
Besides carbine-toting policemen of armed police force, 15 per cent of the total city police strength, will be kept ready. There are 14,000 police personnel in the city police most of whom would be on the street during the festive days, Chakraborty said.
"Meanwhile our cell is already keeping close watch on vital installations including important buildings and stations market places and other crowded areas of the state besides sensitive areas inhabited by mixed population in the run-up to the pujas," Vajpai said. Bureau Report