Security of Chhath ghats beefed up with drone surveillance
The deployment of police across key locations such as ITO ghat and Kalindi Kunj ghat has been intensified to manage the crowd and stop anti-social elements to disrupt the festivities.
The Kolkata Police are setting up tight security in response to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s guarantee of a hassle-free puja.
Kolkata, October 17: After chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s assurance for a hassle-free puja, the Kolkata Police are arranging heavy security. Since Mahalaya, people have been thronging pandals. On Saturday and Sunday, long queues could be seen at different pandals. A senior police official said that throughout these festive days, strict surveillance will continue in the city. There will be intense monitoring from Chaturthi (the fourth day) onwards. On the fourth day, 4,000 police officers will be on duty, and from the fifth day to the ninth day, 8,000 police personnel will be stationed in the city, he said.
“There will be 51 watchtowers in the city for surveillance. Sixteen deputy commissioners will be present for supervision, along with 82 assistant commissioners. Additionally, 200 inspector-level officers will be overseeing the security. Thirty ambulances will be stationed at various locations in the city. Sixteen quick response teams (QRT) will be on standby. The police presence will be substantial at key locations throughout the city,” he said. Enthusiastic devotees have been visiting the well-known pujas like Sreebhumi Sporting, Chetla Agrani, Suruchi Sangha, etc. Moreover, many have been wandering through the illuminated streets of Tollygunge.
“Actually, the twin focus areas for the entire puja arrangements are smooth vehicular traffic and proper pedestrian movement. Based on past experience and present feedback, a comprehensive scheme at barricades and channelizers has been planned to separate these two and manage the points where they clash,” Joint CP (headquarters) Pandey Santosh told The Statesman. Yesterday, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal asked the force to save the honor of Kolkata police. Throughout these festive days, strict surveillance will continue in the city. There will be intense monitoring of the police personnel in the anti-rowdy section from the fourth day onwards to curb the activities of eve-teasing.
Advertisement
Advertisement