Elaborate security arrangement in place for TMC rally tomorrow

Around 6,000 police personnel will be deployed for Trinamool Congress (TMC) Martyrs' Day rally here tomorrow, a senior officer of the Kolkata police said today.

The TMC observes the Martyrs' Day every year on July 21 in its bid to pay homage to 13 Youth Congress workers, allegedly killed in police firing in 1993 during the Left Front regime in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was a leader of the Youth Congress at that time.

Besides, deployment of three Quick Response Team (QRT), Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS) teams, four teams of Kolkata police's Reserve Force will be in action, the officer said.

The city police has already come up with around five watch towers for tomorrow's rally near Victoria House at Esplanade, he said.

According to the IPS officer, roads leading to the rally area have been divided into 10 zones keeping in mind the huge number of people, from different corners of West Bengal, expected to turn up for the event.

Around 100 CCTVs have been installed in and around the rally area to keep a close look on the proceedings.

Police have also arranged hidden cameras near and underneath the dais of the rally to foil any "sabotage" attempt, the IPS said.

"Keeping in mind about the presence of VVIPs like Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other senior leaders tomorrow we have made adequate arrangements. We are expecting lakhs and lakhs of people coming from different parts of the state. So we are not taking any chance. We have tried foolproof security arrangements so that no untoward incident can happen," the officer said.

A sub-control room has also been set up up on the terrace of the Victoria House (CESC building), beside the venue to keep a close watch on peoples movement.

There will be bomb squad personnel and dog squad deployed for tomorrow's rally.

"In fact, both the squads have started doing rounds in and around the venue from today itself. We do not want to take any chance," he said.

Traffic movements will also be regulated as no goods carriage including trucks, matadors, will be allowed to enter the city from 4 AM tomorrow till 8 PM, he said, adding that around 40 police pickets have been set up at different locations in and around the city.

"No parking will be allowed near places like Victoria Memorial, Hastings, Cathedral Road, Hospital Road, Queensway and other areas tomorrow. All these arrangements have been taken up keeping in mind about the security arrangements for tomorrow's rally," he said.

Kolkata Police have also arranged for around 18 trauma care ambulances at different locations in and around the city, he said adding, eight giant screens has been erected at different corners of the city.