Cops use Cellular Mobile News Gathering Unit during rally

For the first time the city police used Cellular Mobile News Gathering Unit in a bid to avoid any untoward incident during the CPI(M)’s brigade rally. 

It may be mentioned that the city police had faced trouble during the CPI(M)’s Nabanna and Lalbazar abhiyan on two separate dates. Police had to resort to lathicharge after CPI(M) supporters allegedly pelted stones at the police. Some policemen were also injured. 

The Cellular Mobile News Gathering Unit for live telecast of an incident to the police’s control room was introduced on 21 December. Surajit Kar Purakayastha, commissioner of police, had inaugurated the unit. By using the system, senior police officers can monitor a law and order situation from control room and take necessary steps needed. 

 Policemen with digital video cameras were present on different thoroughfares and they were asked to telecast if they find any incident taking place in their respective areas. Though there were no such incidents today which had to be telecasted, but during any emergency such units are really helpful. 

Even it helps to save someone’s life in case of any accident. Policemen in control room can visualize the situation instead of hearing about an incident over phone. As a result it becomes easier for them to take necessary steps.  

According to a police officer, a section of senior police officers can also visualise a situation on the screen that has been installed in their rooms. 

Meanwhile, officers from the Kolkata Police also maintained surveillance at the bank of the Hooghly as many supporters of the party reach the city by crossing river banks in motorized boats. Boats of the city police’s river traffic section have patrolled till the rally ended.