Vigil since morning helps police control evening flurry in Kolkata
Times of India | 7 April 2025
123456 Kolkata: With over 60 Ram Navami processions sweeping through the city on Sunday, Kolkata witnessed a day of spirited religious fervour under the watchful eyes of more than 7,000 police personnel. Vigilance from early morning helped police manage the evening flurry of rallies peacefully, with no major incidents of violence till late evening.
Despite the sheer scale of the event — with some rallies hosting up to 2,500 participants — cops managed to maintain order across the city. There were sporadic violations as arms like swords and maces (gada) were on display at at least two rallies — Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata and Kidderpore in south. DJ music was also played widely across almost all major rallies. But there was no major violence reported till late into Sunday evening. A total of 50 senior officers were deployed on the ground, many positioned in areas flagged as sensitive due to previous instances of unrest.
"For the past two months, we've been preparing meticulously, gathering feedback and mapping out strategies," said Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Varma. He stressed that all senior officers, including those above the DC rank, were in the field, and a significant number of forces was deployed, especially in areas where there were previous instances of skirmishes. "All sensitive areas, mixed pockets, or places with a history of problems were fully covered," he said.
Police presence was strong across all major rally points, including Ramlila Maidan, Hastings, Kidderpore Bhukailash Road, Kasba, Sealdah, and Burrabazar. Vigilance was extended to alleys and densely populated neighbourhoods, with pickets, bike patrols, quick response teams (QRTs) and heavy radio flying squads (HRFS) strategically placed along routes.
Officers were seen documenting potential violations — excessive DJ music use, bikers weaving through processions, and even brandishing of swords and maces — without resorting to heavy-handed interventions. At Ramleela Maidan, four individuals carrying swords and maces were discreetly photographed by officers, who promptly informed the organisers. Within minutes, an announcement was made asking those carrying arms to leave. They exited quietly on bikes. A similar scene unfolded at Kidderpore.
The Central Business District saw early deployment, with police taking positions as early as 8:30 am for processions scheduled to begin post-noon. Areas such as Burrabazar, Posta, Zakaria Street, and CR Avenue were cordoned off.
Among the day's highlights was the Shri Ram Navami Julus, organised by the Shri Ram Navami Julus Committee of Central Kolkata, under the Punjab Seva Samiti banner. This iconic procession commenced at 6.15 pm from Kalakar Street off MG Road. It featured traditional musical bands, decorated chariots, and groups of devotees chanting bhajans.