KMC to write to police for protection during dengue drives

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Health department is writing to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar seeking security for their health team when they go on dengue drives.

This came after a civic body team faced resistance during their drive at Canal West Road in Ultadanga on Thurdsay morning.

"During our dengue drive, there have been stray incidents when our team, while undertaking the dengue drive, faced resistance for carrying out their work smoothly. What happened at Ultadanga was unprecedented. I am writing to the Commissioner of Police so that our team gets protection during these drives. We feel that the Commissioner would issue a directive to all the police stations to see that such incidents don't occur again," said Atin Ghosh, member Mayor-in-Council (Health).

The KMC team was on a dengue drive at Canal West road, Ward 13 and had found mosquito larvae at a park adjacent to a canal belonging to the state Irrigation department. While destroying the larvae, the team that comprised women was abused and there were attempts to stall work. The police rushed to their aid and one person was arrested on the basis of an FIR lodged by the team at Ultadanga police station. "Some of the team members are suffering from insecurity. We have sought protection from the police. Such drives are absolutely necessary for destroying mosquito larvae that are responsible for dengue and malaria," a senior KMC health officer said.