5,000 cops, drones to keep an eye on Ram Navami rallies today
Times of India | 17 April 2024
Kolkata: Security in Kolkata and Howrah were ramped up further on Tuesday, a day ahead of Ram Navami, with Kolkata alone seeing a deployment of 5,000 personnel as 60-odd processions, four of them bigger than the others, are scheduled in the city on Wednesday. In Howrah, police are deploying drones to keep an eye on sensitive areas.
The number was slightly higher than that last year, said a Lalbazar officer.
Top state officials, led by chief secretary B P Gopalika, held meetings with district magistrates, commissioners, DIGs, SPs and other senior officials and asked them to ensure adequate deployment of forces on the road to ensure peaceful celebrations. Kolkata Police has sent a list of dos and don’ts to the procession organizers and directed them to abide by high court guidelines. Cops clarified that permissions had been granted on condition that not more than 200 people would participate in each rally. However, there is no bar on different processions merging at specific points, as has been the practice in central Kolkata the past few years. But, police, said no loud music would be allowed and the number of vehicles to be used should be restricted.
The four big processions will be supervised by senior officers. “We have set up additional CCTV cameras on certain routes and set different schedule for the big processions to avoid major congestions,” said an officer.
While the Howrah Police has already deployed drones for surveillance on sensitive pockets, in both Kolkata and Howrah, police will video-graph the processions. Police in Howrah and West Midnapore have asked liquor shops and bars to stay shut.
The chief election commission has already asked for videography of processions, where political figures will be involved.