Before Ram Navami, police check eye health of CCTV cams across Kol
Times of India | 24 March 2025
Kolkata: With less than two weeks left to Ram Navami, Lalbazar — the Kolkata Police headquarters — has instructed police stations, under whose jurisdiction major Ram Navami rallies are taken out every year, to run a health audit of the CCTV cameras in the area. If any surveillance equipment is found faulty, repairs must be carried out without delay to ensure proper monitoring.
According to sources, police stations in key areas, including Burrabazar, Posta, Jorabagan, Girish Park, Jorasanko, Hare Street, Bowbazar, Cossipore, Sinthi, Chitpore, Tala, Shyampukur, Burtala, Maniktala, Entally, Tangra, Beniapukur, Topsia, Karaya, Ballygunge, Kalighat, Gariahat, Chetla, Alipore, Watgunge, South Port, North Port, Hastings, Taratala, and some others, have been tasked with checking and maintaining their surveillance infrastructure. This move is part of a broader security strategy to prevent any law and order disruptions during the festivities.
In addition to surveillance upgrade, Lalbazar has mandated local police stations to hold meetings with rally organisers. Officers have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to high court guidelines, which prohibit participants from carrying weapons and playing DJ music during processions. Also, the authorities have placed a cap on the number of participants allowed in each rally.
Last year, around 60 processions were held across the city, with four being significantly large in scale. However, violations were reported in some areas, including Entally, where participants were seen brandishing weapons and playing loud music, flouting the HC orders. To avoid a repeat of such incidents, cops are taking pre-emptive action this year.
A senior officer of Kolkata Police said a large deployment of around 5,000 personnel was on duty last year to maintain peace. A similar security arrangement is expected this year. Community leaders are being engaged in discussions to reinforce the importance of following the law, and rally routes are being carefully planned to minimise disruptions.
"Everyone has been warned against indulging in illegal activities, including carrying arms. If anyone is found violating the rules, legal action will be taken against them," said a senior officer of Bhavani Bhavan.
To bolster security further, city police commissioner Manoj Varma is set to visit key locations, particularly in the port area, and hold strategic meetings with senior officers. Additional measures include police personnel on procession duty wearing body cameras for real-time monitoring.
"Drones will be deployed in sensitive areas. Police stations will escort rallies through their jurisdictions and video-graph them for security records. Surveillance on repeat offenders has been intensified," the officer said.
Kolkata: With less than two weeks left to Ram Navami, Lalbazar — the Kolkata Police headquarters — has instructed police stations, under whose jurisdiction major Ram Navami rallies are taken out every year, to run a health audit of the CCTV cameras in the area. If any surveillance equipment is found faulty, repairs must be carried out without delay to ensure proper monitoring.
According to sources, police stations in key areas, including Burrabazar, Posta, Jorabagan, Girish Park, Jorasanko, Hare Street, Bowbazar, Cossipore, Sinthi, Chitpore, Tala, Shyampukur, Burtala, Maniktala, Entally, Tangra, Beniapukur, Topsia, Karaya, Ballygunge, Kalighat, Gariahat, Chetla, Alipore, Watgunge, South Port, North Port, Hastings, Taratala, and some others, have been tasked with checking and maintaining their surveillance infrastructure. This move is part of a broader security strategy to prevent any law and order disruptions during the festivities.
In addition to surveillance upgrade, Lalbazar has mandated local police stations to hold meetings with rally organisers. Officers have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to high court guidelines, which prohibit participants from carrying weapons and playing DJ music during processions. Also, the authorities have placed a cap on the number of participants allowed in each rally.
Last year, around 60 processions were held across the city, with four being significantly large in scale. However, violations were reported in some areas, including Entally, where participants were seen brandishing weapons and playing loud music, flouting the HC orders. To avoid a repeat of such incidents, cops are taking pre-emptive action this year.
A senior officer of Kolkata Police said a large deployment of around 5,000 personnel was on duty last year to maintain peace. A similar security arrangement is expected this year. Community leaders are being engaged in discussions to reinforce the importance of following the law, and rally routes are being carefully planned to minimise disruptions.
"Everyone has been warned against indulging in illegal activities, including carrying arms. If anyone is found violating the rules, legal action will be taken against them," said a senior officer of Bhavani Bhavan.
To bolster security further, city police commissioner Manoj Varma is set to visit key locations, particularly in the port area, and hold strategic meetings with senior officers. Additional measures include police personnel on procession duty wearing body cameras for real-time monitoring.
"Drones will be deployed in sensitive areas. Police stations will escort rallies through their jurisdictions and video-graph them for security records. Surveillance on repeat offenders has been intensified," the officer said.