15,000 cops to check bursting of high-decibel fire crackers

Around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed in and surrounding areas of the city to keep a check on banned high-decibel fire crackers for a safe Kali Puja and Diwali next week.
Top officers of Kolkata Police today held a meeting with their counterparts of West Bengal Police from the surrounding districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly to bar "entry" of banned crackers into the city.
Most of the banned crackers, Kolkata Police has marked around 90 in this category, enter the city from these districts, hence, such a meeting was held, a top cop of the Force said.

"Police at the districts will keep a watch on the movement of crackers, thus helping us in keeping a tab on the entry of banned crackers in the city," the officer said adding since last month, Kolkata Police sleuths have seized 3,447 kgs of banned crackers.
Patrolling teams of the Force would be on the move in the lanes and bylanes of the city to stop sale of banned crackers.
"We have decided to take legal action against those who will be caught violating the laws. For those violating laws and using banned fire crackers from high rises, stern action will be taken against the secretary of the apartment... our officials will also be keeping a tab on the multi-storied buildings," the officer said.

Kolkata Police has also taken up a an awareness programme against use of banned crackers.
Besides publishing posters and leaflets, Kolkata Police has involved schoolchildren to help the cause.
With around 3,500 Kali Pujas to be organised this year in and around the city, Kolkata Police have decided to choose two pujas from each of its eight divisions for the "best puja" award, the officer said adding, immersions would be held on November 13.