Security beefed up in Bengal for X-Mas, New Year festivities

Kolkata: Elaborate security arrangements have been made in and around the city as well as the areas bordering West Bengal to avert any attempt to disrupt normal life during Christmas and New Year festivities, a senior official of the state police department said.

Altogether, 21 divisional mobile vans will be patrolling the capital city and its surrounding areas over the next few days to ensure hassle-free celebrations, he said.

"We have chalked out a detailed plan for this period.

Traffic have been restricted or diverted on several roads leading to Park Street the hub of festivities. Apart from that, we have erected check points at Dharamtala, Sealdah, Howrah and other entry points to the city," the officer said.

Special arrangements have also been made for tourist spots, such as Victoria Memorial and Alipore Zoo, amusement parks, shopping malls and metro stations, he said.

"Besides, 13 Quick Response Teams (QRT) and 14 Heavy Radio Flying Squad (HRFS) vans will be stationed at crucial corners in the city," the officer stated.

Local police stations have issued mandatory rules for night clubs, bars, hotels and restaurants too.

"CCTVs are a must at every restaurants, hotels and shops. Our officers in plain clothes as well as in uniform will be monitoring these places all throughout the day," the senior police officer maintained.

Talking about arrangements in Park Street, the officer said the entire area has been divided into seven zones.

"Eleven watchtowers have been installed in and around Park Street. Ten senior police officials of Deputy- Commissioner (DC) rank will also be posted there to look after operations conducted by the deployed force," he said.

The Kolkata Traffic Police has barred entry of cars to Park Street from 4pm every day, starting tomorrow till New Year's Eve.

During the festival days, a Detective Department (DD) team and police personnel in plain clothes will be posted to check drunk driving.

A team of bike-borne women officers will be doing the rounds of the city to keep a watch on the eve-teasers.

"Twenty-five such teams will be in action primarily keeping an eye on Park Street and its surrounding areas," the officer elaborated.

As a part of the security arrangements, 16 police booths have also been set up to aid people, he said.

In case of emergencies, the Kolkata Police Disaster Management Group (DMG) team will be on standby to offer assistance to the revelers, he explained.

On security planning at the districts bordering the state, a senior official said, "Adequate measures have been taken to thwart untoward activities at interstate boundaries as well as India-Bangladesh border.

"We have convened special meetings with the BSF over border surveillance. Any attempt to breach peace at the border areas will be dealt with an iron hand," he added.