Elaborate security arrangements have been put in motion in Kolkata to ensure safety during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Kolkata Police headquarters has deployed 1,500 police personnel across the city streets, with the deployment scheduled until late Thursday evening.
To handle the festive rush and prevent any spillover of violence from neighboring Bangladesh, senior city police officials, including deputy commissioners and inspectors, will be on duty in shifts from Wednesday evening through Thursday night. The forces on the ground will be closely monitored by police control rooms manned by joint commissioners and additional commissioners.
Special attention will be given to Park Street and its surroundings, along with increased security at various churches in the city. An all-women police unit will be on standby to address any instances of harassment or eve-teasing. Watchtowers, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), and Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS) will be stationed in the Park Street area during the festive period.
In addition to Park Street, security personnel will be stationed at key locations like the Zoological Garden, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Maidan, and other tourist spots. The security setup includes women police officers, plain-clothed detectives, and combat teams. Special protective measures have been implemented at important churches, with checkpoints at various entry points to the city.
Apart from police presence, the state Disaster Management Department has readied its teams for emergencies. Trauma-care ambulances and life-saving disaster management units will be strategically positioned near river points in and around the city. River Traffic Police will conduct regular patrols using speedboats to ensure waterway security.
