Kolkata: 3K police personnel to curb anticipated Ram Navami violence
Approximately 3,000 police personnel will be stationed in Kolkata, with a significant presence in “past trouble areas” such as Howrah, Chandannagar, Serampore, Dalkhola and Asansol, to ensure the peaceful celebration of Ram Navami on Wednesday, April 17.
All police stations in the city and other locations across the state, where Ram Navami processions are planned, have initiated discussions with community leaders to establish guidelines and rally routes.
In Kolkata, applications for permission for six major processions had been submitted by Monday, a notable decrease from the over two dozen last year.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has been conducting meetings with senior officers and inspecting various areas, particularly in the vicinity of the port.
Officers assigned to procession duty have been instructed to activate their body cameras and utilise drones in sensitive zones. Police stations will provide escorts for rallies in their respective areas and capture them on video. Repeat offenders are under surveillance, according to police sources.
Lalbazar will be closely monitoring each rally, with IPS officers overseeing the management of sensitive events. Police officials have emphasised that gatherings will not be permitted to proceed to sensitive locations without proper permission.
