Kolkata: Rocked by the back-to-back incidents of snatching on E M Bypass and its surrounding areas — five cases in three months — Kolkata Police is planning to overhaul policing around the Kasba-Tagore Park-Panchannagram area to enhance security and stop petty crime.
Among several plans, a vital recommendation is to try and set up a new police outpost at Tagore Park. Cops said the plan, mooted in 2022, has again been picked up by Lalbazar after several employees of private firms working in the area were targeted by bike-borne snatchers.
Cops said there are three reasons why the outpost is important. "The main police station is a long way off from Tagore Park. Though cops can be stationed near Ruby crossing, the service roads on the Bypass need protection.
The area shares boundaries with multiple police stations but at least two other police divisions — east and southeast (Kasba comes under South suburban division). The outpost will help in better coordination.
Thirdly, the area has pockets that need constant monitoring, these share a history of petty crime and clashes," an officer said.
However, though the possible spot for the outpost has been chosen, the lack of manpower has come as a major challenge, said sources.
Kasba Police Station, catering to a large area, has not been able to meet the manpower crunch.
Sudeshna Bose, an employee at a nearby saree emporium, said she hopes the cops make quick arrests to restore confidence among locals and those with offices nearby.
"We are taking all measures, including impromptu nakas and intelligence gathering within a 3 km radius, to pre-empt such incidents," the officer said.