The Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police have tightened security in their respective jurisdictions ahead of Ram Navami on Sunday.
According to sources, the West Bengal Police have deployed 29 IPS officers in 10 sensitive regions, including six police commissionerates and four districts: Howrah, Barrackpore, Chandannagar, Malda, Islampur, Asansol-Durgapur, Siliguri, Howrah Rural, Murshidabad, and Cooch Behar.
Five to six IPS officers have been assigned to supervise the law and order situation in the Howrah district alone. Also, Barrackpore and Chandannagar have been allocated four IPS officers each.
In the state capital, Kolkata, security cover has been tightened, with approximately 4,000 to 5,000 police personnel being deployed to maintain law and order. Permission has been given to around 59 Ram Navami rallies in the city, out of which six major ones might each witness the participation of 1,200 to 1,500 devotees. Police teams led by a deputy commissioner-rank officer will escort the rallies.
Besides, police personnel in plain clothes will be deployed throughout the city. The police have warned of action against organisers if rallies are taken out without permission.
Sources further informed that cops will keep a watch from high-rises, besides deploying surveillance drones and wearing body cameras while escorting rallies. Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS), and Police Control Room (PCR) vans will also be stationed at key locations to ensure quick movement if required.
Restrictions have also been placed on the entry of goods vehicles as a precautionary measure. Goods vehicles other than those carrying milk, vegetables, and fuel have been barred from entering the city on Sunday.
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The West Bengal Police and the Kolkata Police said they were focusing on preventing the spread of rumours through social media.
Recently, Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), West Bengal Police, issued an order stating, “No leave shall be granted to the police personnel of your respective police commissionerate/ district/ unit with effect from 02.04.2025 to 09.04.2025, unless there is any emergency.” This measure was taken to increase manpower and ensure full-force availability in districts marked as sensitive.
The police have also installed CCTVs at important locations to record the processions to maintain transparency and accountability. According to police sources, no DJ and bike rallies will be allowed in Kolkata. They added that the police were working with religious leaders to maintain peace in sensitive areas.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd