Bengal Police bans sale of Army fatigue, unauthorized drone use
Times of India | 13 May 2025
Kolkata: Bengal Police has ordered a prohibition on the sale of combat fatigue that might resemble the uniform of the Indian armed forces. The order aims to check their misuse. Police in at least three north Bengal districtshave begun visiting markets and asking traders to refrain from selling such fatigues."We are telling traders that this can even attract legal action as this is a blatant copyright violation and borders on the lines of impersonation. But during peace, we usually overlook the same as there are no bona fide wrong intentions. However, at a time when there is tension in the country – and the terrorists wore army fatigues when they opened fire on our tourists at Baisaran Valley – we cannot take any chance.The focus is also on north Bengal as a lot of them join the armed or the paramilitary forces from here, and the tradition of wearing such fatigues is part of the culture here," an ADG told TOI.Sources said that in these four North Bengal districts, besides the sale of such fatigues, the police have also imposed restrictions on drone photography, citing security concerns in the strategically sensitive region. No one will be allowed to use drones without prior permission in the Chicken's Neck area, stated cops.The districts of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri, which share international borders, have begun implementing strict measures against vendors selling military uniform replicas. Cooch Behar District Police Superintendent Dyutiman Bhattacharya said, "This measure has been taken to prevent anyone from using such clothing to engage in subversive activities."The crackdown follows intelligence reports of militants using military uniforms in recent attacks, including the Pahalgam tourist attack and the 2016 Pathankot incident. Central and state intelligence agencies have also recovered military uniforms from suspected militant hideouts in Northeast India in the past few years."Certain towns and settlements have been identified where selling such prototype fatigues to civilians is presently prohibited," said Jalpaiguri Police Superintendent Umesh Ganpat Khandbahale. "This will also make it easier to track if any civilian has purchased such clothing," said a top official back at Bhawani Bhawan.The restrictions are particularly significant given that several areas along the international borders lack proper barbed wire fencing. Local businesses have been cooperative, with district trader associations confirming their compliance with the new directives.In a related development, authorities have banned unauthorised drone photography in the strategic ‘Chicken's Neck' corridor, including Darjeeling district and Siliguri. "The ban on drone photography is essential to prevent information leakage about important locations," said a Siliguri Police Commissionerate officer. The area houses several sensitive installations, including army camps, railway stations, and airports.Siliguri Deputy Police Commissioner (West) Bishwajit Thakur warned of legal action against drone photography violations, while Darjeeling Police Superintendent Praveen Prakash confirmed increased surveillance measures across the district.Kolkata: Bengal Police has ordered a prohibition on the sale of combat fatigue that might resemble the uniform of the Indian armed forces. The order aims to check their misuse. Police in at least three north Bengal districts have begun visiting markets and asking traders to refrain from selling such fatigues."We are telling traders that this can even attract legal action as this is a blatant copyright violation and borders on the lines of impersonation. But during peace, we usually overlook the same as there are no bona fide wrong intentions. However, at a time when there is tension in the country – and the terrorists wore army fatigues when they opened fire on our tourists at Baisaran Valley – we cannot take any chance. The focus is also on north Bengal as a lot of them join the armed or the paramilitary forces from here, and the tradition of wearing such fatigues is part of the culture here," an ADG told TOI.Sources said that in these four North Bengal districts, besides the sale of such fatigues, the police have also imposed restrictions on drone photography, citing security concerns in the strategically sensitive region. No one will be allowed to use drones without prior permission in the Chicken's Neck area, stated cops.The districts of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri, which share international borders, have begun implementing strict measures against vendors selling military uniform replicas. Cooch Behar District Police Superintendent Dyutiman Bhattacharya said, "This measure has been taken to prevent anyone from using such clothing to engage in subversive activities."The crackdown follows intelligence reports of militants using military uniforms in recent attacks, including the Pahalgam tourist attack and the 2016 Pathankot incident. Central and state intelligence agencies have also recovered military uniforms from suspected militant hideouts in Northeast India in the past few years."Certain towns and settlements have been identified where selling such prototype fatigues to civilians is presently prohibited," said Jalpaiguri Police Superintendent Umesh Ganpat Khandbahale. "This will also make it easier to track if any civilian has purchased such clothing," said a top official back at Bhawani Bhawan.The restrictions are particularly significant given that several areas along the international borders lack proper barbed wire fencing. Local businesses have been cooperative, with district trader associations confirming their compliance with the new directives.In a related development, authorities have banned unauthorised drone photography in the strategic ‘Chicken's Neck' corridor, including Darjeeling district and Siliguri. "The ban on drone photography is essential to prevent information leakage about important locations," said a Siliguri Police Commissionerate officer. The area houses several sensitive installations, including army camps, railway stations, and airports.Siliguri Deputy Police Commissioner (West) Bishwajit Thakur warned of legal action against drone photography violations, while Darjeeling Police Superintendent Praveen Prakash confirmed increased surveillance measures across the district.