Security arrangement has been beefed up in and around the city and districts of West Bengal for the 71st Independence Day tomorrow.
Besides Kolkata, entry and exit points of the state, particularly in areas bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, are under extensive surveillance as part of the enhanced security measure for the occasion, a senior police officer told PTI.
"Five star hotels, all types of big and small hotels, including guest houses and other lodging centres in and around the city and the districts are being monitored to ensure no outsiders without proper documentation are accommodated during this period," the officer said, adding leaves of all policemen across the state have been cancelled till August 20.
A top Kolkata Police officer said the city's security arrangement has been divided into two parts. One for the Independence Day event venue at Red Road and another for the entire city.
The Red Road, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present at the march past of the Kolkata and the state police, has been divided into 14 zones which would be monitored by top officers of Kolkata Police, while teams of radio flying squads and quick response would be on standby, the Kolkata Police officer said.
Beside Red Road, several watch towers have been set up at key junctures, he said adding that unmanned aerial vehicles would be pressed into service for surveillance.
Kolkata Police special task force would keep a strict vigil of vehicular movement as well as on crowds. We have deployed extra policemen at most public places, pilgrim spots as well as shopping malls and movie theatres, the officer said.
Special security arrangements have also been put in place for Howrah, Sealdah, Kolkata and Santragachi railway stations as well as for the city airport.
"We have also deployed police personnel at monuments, theatres and others places of interests like Howrah Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu, Writers' Buildings, Victoria Memorial, Kalighat Temple as well as markets and shopping malls," the officer said.
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