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Kolkata Police Deploy 1,500 Personnel for Christmas, New Year Security

Kolkata Police have implemented extensive security measures for the Christmas and New Year festivities, deploying 1,500 personnel across the city. The arrangements are heightened due to massive expected crowds and concerns over regional instability from neighboring Bangladesh. Key areas like Park Street, major churches, and tourist spots will see maximum deployment, including all-women squads and Quick Response Teams. Additional support from disaster management teams and river traffic police ensures comprehensive safety coverage for the celebrations.

Key Points: Kolkata Police Boost Festive Security for Christmas & New Year

  • 1,500 personnel deployed
  • All-women police squads for safety
  • Park Street & churches under maximum watch
  • Quick Response Teams & river patrols active
2 min read

Kolkata Police enhance security arrangements for Christmas, New Year celebrations

Kolkata Police deploy 1,500 personnel, women's squads, and QRTs for Christmas & New Year security, citing regional tensions and massive crowds.

"Security arrangement has been made elaborate... to prevent any trickling effect of the continuing violence in neighbouring Bangladesh. – Senior Police Official"

Kolkata, Dec 24

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Kolkata to avert any untoward situation during Christmas and New Year festivities, said officials on Thursday.

The Kolkata Police headquarters has decided to deploy 1,500 police personnel on the streets of Kolkata, and the deployment will continue till late Thursday evening.

According to a senior official of the city police, the security arrangement has been made elaborate, not just keeping in mind the massive footfall but also to prevent any trickling effect of the continuing violence in neighbouring Bangladesh that might spoil the festive mood.

Senior city police officers in the ranks of deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and inspectors of police would also be on the streets in shifts during the entire period, starting from Wednesday evening to Thursday night.

The forces deployed on the streets will operate under direct supervision from the police control rooms, which will be manned by officers in the ranks of joint commissioners and additional commissioners.

As expected, the party hub of Park Street in central Kolkata and its adjacent locations will have maximum security deployment attention. Similar deployments will be at the different churches in the city from Wednesday evening.

An all-women wing of the city police will be deployed round-the-clock to prevent events of harassment of women and cases of eve-teasing.

Four to five watchtowers have already been installed in the Park Street area. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS) will also be present on Park Street during the period from Wednesday evening to Thursday night.

Besides the Park Street area, police personnel will also be deployed at the Zoological Garden in Alipore, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Maidan, and other popular tourist spots.

"There will be an adequate number of women police personnel, plain-dress sleuths, and combat teams. Special protection and surveillance arrangements have been made in the important churches in the city. Checking points will be there at several entry points to the city," a senior police official said.

Besides the police, the state Disaster Management Department has kept its teams ready for any emergency. Trauma-care ambulances and deployment of life-saving disaster management teams at the river points in and around the city are part of the security arrangements. The personnel of the River Traffic Police will conduct constant patrolling on the water through speedboats.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the security is appreciated, I hope the police presence doesn't become overbearing and spoil the festive spirit. There's a fine line between security and making people feel like they're in a lockdown.
A
Arun Y
The mention of being alert due to the situation in Bangladesh is a sobering reminder. We often forget how interconnected our region is. Kudos to the police for being proactive.
S
Sarah B
As someone visiting family in Kolkata for the holidays, this news is very comforting. The inclusion of disaster management and river patrols shows they're thinking of all scenarios. Well done.
M
Manish T
Park Street during Christmas is an experience! Glad to know they are focusing there and at the churches. It's important that everyone, of all faiths, can celebrate safely in our City of Joy.
K
Kavya N
I appreciate the effort, but I hope this level of security and resource deployment becomes the standard for all major festivals in the state, not just Christmas and New Year.

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