Heavy security deployed for Martyrs Day Rally on July 21

Amidst tight security to avoid any kind of untoward incident during the Martyrs Day rally of Trinamool Congress on July 21, eight giant screens will be set up to let people watch Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee addressing the rally without facing any trouble even if they cannot reach near the main dais.

Around 7500 additional policemen will be posted in and around the venue. A large contingent of police will be posted in the area starting from the night before. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, will be deployed to keep a tight vigil in the area.

Police are making the arrangement keeping in mind that lakhs of people from the state will pour into the city on July 21 to attend the rally. According to a police officer, this time more people will come to attend the rally after the tremendous Trinamool Congress’ win in the Assembly elections, where they won majority by an unprecedented 211 seats. People those will reach the venue early will get an opportunity to sit quite close to the main dais. Those who reach the venue later might not get the chance to sit in front of the stage. Keeping this in mind, giant screens will be set up in the area to help people get a glimpse of the Chief Minister without facing any inconvenience.

Thousands of people will start arriving in to the city the day before the rally. People mainly from north Bengal districts will come on July 21 and start taking shelter at various places in the city. Security in these places has also been tightened. Supporters of the party will be marching from Howrah and Sealdah stations starting on the morning of July 21. Police are taking necessary measures to ensure that traffic congestion during the march will be minimal. Senior officers of the Kolkata Police’s traffic department held meetings and decided the routes through which vehicles will be diverted.

Thousands of supporters and workers from the adjacent districts including Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas will reach the venue by buses. Buses will be parked on dedicated roads from where party workers will reach the venue in a procession. Many from Howrah and Hooghly will also be arriving at Babughat via motorised boats. Steps have also been taken to ensure security at the ghats.

Frisking in the crowded areas by officers of the Bomb Disposal Squad and Dog Squad of the city police will be done from the day before. Policemen in plainclothes will also be posted.