City back to normal within hours after mass rally

Kolkata: Robust arrangements made by the Kolkata Police ensured a smooth and hassle-free Martyrs' Day rally on Saturday that was attended by lakhs of people who came from all across the state.

The top brass of the city police had chalked out a detailed plan for crowd management to ensure the security of people and most importantly, regulate the traffic movement when lakhs of people begin to march towards the venue on Saturday.

Rajeev Kumar, Commissioner of Police and Supratim Sarkar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) accompanied by other senior police officers visited the venue on Friday morning and inspected all arrangements. Sources said stress was given on the security aspect of the VIPs, who were on the stage and also those attending the rally.

Besides bringing the entire area under the coverage of surveillance cameras, concerned policemen kept a constant watch over the situation to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the rally. The police had also taken precautionary steps to avoid any trouble that could have been triggered by rumours and could prove fatal.

With the proper execution of the plan, people have not faced any inconvenience in reaching the venue. At the same time, they were provided with the necessary guidance to return home without facing any trouble.

Trinamool Congress volunteers in yellow T-shirts were found assisting the police to guide people as and when required. There were ambulances at every crucial junction and without facing any restrictions, they operated smoothly at the rally.

The police had also maintained a vigil along river Hooghly and necessary steps were taken for the security of the party workers who reached Kolkata by boat. There were many party workers who came by crossing Hooghly on boats, from Howrah and Hooghly districts.

The police had to divert several vehicles when lakhs of party workers headed towards Esplanade in processions.

But within minutes after the meeting, the police managed to allow plying of vehicles on almost all the major thoroughfares. It helped the party workers as well to return home without facing any inconvenience.