Kolkata, Oct 23: On the eve of Kali Puja, the administration has deployed 12,000 additional forces all over West Bengal to prevent any untoward incident even as police have arrested 251 people and seized six tonnes of fire-crackers from various parts of the state. "We have deployed 12,000 additional personnel in all districts, especially in the industrial areas, to prevent any untoward incident during Kali Puja tomorrow," Special IGP Narayan Ghosh told newsmen today adding a special control room had been opened to keep a watch on the law and order situation.

He said 251 people have been arrested and six tonnes of high noise fire-crackers seized from various parts of the state during the past few days. Besides 21 lakh pieces of low-noise crackers have also been seized, he said, adding several bombs which were being made under the guise of crackers, were recovered.

Of the 251 arrested, 37 have been booked for making or possessing illegal fireworks and six for extortion, he said adding the highest number of arrests for extortion have been made from South 24-Parganas district.

To a question, Ghosh said police would apply to the Central Pollution Control Board for permission to allow inspector-rank officers to lodge sound pollution-related cases. Kali Puja organisers have been asked to immerse their idols within October 27, failing which, action as per law would be taken against them.

Bureau Report