Independence Day: About 4000 police personnel to be deployed

Kolkata: Security arrangements in the city have been beefed up to ensure that no untoward incidents take place on Independence Day.

On August 15, around 4000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the city on the 76th Independence Day, including 2000 cops just for Red Road and its surrounding areas.

The entire area has been divided into 13 zones and 86 sectors. About 17 Deputy Commissioner (DC) ranked and 46 Assistant Commissioner (AC) ranked officers will be looking after the security of these zones and sectors.

There will be six watchtowers from where police personnel with advanced sniper rifles will be keeping watch on the whole area. 11 sandbag bunkers have been set up in and around Red Road and other adjacent roads.

This apart, four sandbag morchas have also been made. Three Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will be there at strategic points to act quickly in case of urgency. These apart, Commando Forces have been kept on high alert to ensure quick movement and intervention in case of urgency. There will be six police assistance booths as well to help the spectators who will come to witness the programme on Red Road.

Kolkata Police has already started checking vehicles at 100 different naka points across the city. Police Control Room (PCR) vans will be patrolling the city throughout the day to ensure safety. Meanwhile, security at vital areas likeVictoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Birla Planetarium, shopping malls and Metro stations have also been stepped up.

Red Road along with seven other adjacent roads have been made ‘No Entry’ zones from 10 pm on Monday until the parade gets over.

Lovers Lane, KP Road, Hospital Road, Queensway, Kingsway, Mayo Road, Dufferin Road, Outram Road and Rani Rashmoni Avenue will also be made ‘No Entry’ zones from 5:30 am on Tuesday.