Central forces, police maintain close vigil on Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in state

 Guv visits different parts of city, reviews security

PTI, Kolkata, Apr 6, 2023 : Central police forces were deployed in parts of Kolkata, Hooghly and Barrackpore on Thursday to assist the state police in maintaining the law and order situation in view of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, a senior police officer said.

In Kolkata, the central troops were deployed in Amherst Street, Jorasanko, Park Circus, Kidderpore and Port areas, he said.

“A large number of officers of the Kolkata Police were accompanying the central forces in the sensitive areas of the city. They will also hold route marches as part of area domination measures. Strict action will be taken against any attempt to disrupt the law and order,” the officer said.

Senior officers of the Hooghly Police, and Barrackpore Police Commissionerate in North 24 Parganas were also accompanying the central forces that have been deployed there, he said.

Three companies of central forces were deployed for assisting the state police in maintaining peace during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations on the directions of the Calcutta High Court after violent clashes broke out during Ram Navami rallies in parts of Hooghly and Howrah districts. One company has around 150 personnel.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it will be organising 500 Hanuman Jayanti programmes across the state.

The situation in violence-hit areas of Rishra and Serampore in the Chandannagore Police Commissionerate area in Hooghly is peaceful. Prohibitory orders are still imposed in those areas and the internet is suspended, police said. 

"We have an adequate number of police personnel deployed in the areas which witnessed violence on Sunday and Monday," a senior officer of the Chandannagore Police said. Governor CV Ananda Bose visited different parts of Kolkata on Thursday morning, reviewed the security measures taken in view of the occasion, and interacted with the people. Bose first visited the 'Bal Hanuman' temple in Lake Town and offered  puja.  

He  then  went  to Ekbalpore and spoke to locals. From there, he went to the Posta area. The Governor interacted with locals, including children, owners of small businesses, and also with the security personnel deputed in those areas. 

"See, it is the people who made me the Governor. So I have to be with the people... I take delight in being with the people. I am one among them," Bose told reporters in Ekbalpore, which witnessed communal clashes in October last year. 

"People are cooperating. I think today will be a very happy day. Bengal will set a trend in peace and harmony in society," he added. 

Bose also visited the Hanuman Mandir Char Chowk in Posta, and spoke to the priest and devotees there. After enquiring about the prevailing law and order situation from on-duty police officers, the Governor stopped at a roadside stall in Posta and had a glass of sattu sharbat. Interacting with the locals, the Governor asked them whether they feel safe.