Cops on their toes to avoid untoward incidents in city

Kolkata: Security in the city has been tightened to avoid any untoward incident during Kali Puja.

Additional policemen were deployed at different parts of the city so that not even a single person faces any difficulty.

The top brass of the Kolkata Police held a high-level meeting a few days ago and chalked out a plan to maintain crowd and traffic during Kali Puja.

There had been a heavy rush at different market places since Tuesday as people visited shops to buy gifts for their near and dear ones.

Knowing well that from when there will be heavy pressure on the movement of traffic on major thoroughfares, the city traffic police had started taking necessary steps so that the movement of traffic does not get slowed down.

The police had become successful in controlling the crowd and traffic during Durga Puja and the rank and file was also appreciated by people from all walks of life.

A day ahead of Kali Puja, people started visiting the famous Puja mandaps in the city and there were huge crowds found at all the puja mandaps.

Policemen in plainclothes have also been posted at crucial places and they will be keeping a close watch and would take necessary steps if they find anyone moving around suspiciously.

They would also keep a watch at pickpockets. In a bid to check incidents of pickpocketing, policemen in plainclothes were also posted in places like Shyambazar, Gariahat and Esplanade where people go for marketing.

With people visiting Puja mandaps, the task of police have become tougher as it was a working day as well.

But office-goers didn't face any inconvenience while returning home as the police had maintained the traffic in such a way that movement of vehicles didn't get interrupted due to pandal-hoppers.

Many even didn't leave the last minute opportunity to buy their favourite firecrackers from the Bazi Bazaar at four different locations in the city. Additional policemen were deployed at the Bazi Bazaar and its outside to control the crowd.

The police were also found keeping a close watch on firecrackers. The police have taken all necessary measures to avoid bursting of banned firecrackers and on Wednesday, the police intensified its vigil.