Heightened Vigil — The Kolkata Police, in collaboration with multiple civic and central security agencies, has mounted a multi-layered security grid ahead of the annual Trinamool Congress (TMC) Martyrs’ Day rally. The rally, scheduled for Sunday, July 21, is expected to draw tens of thousands of party supporters from across the state to Esplanade in Central Kolkata.
Authorities have introduced a high-tech surveillance and deployment plan involving elite commando forces, advanced CCTV monitoring, drone surveillance, and rigorous crowd management protocols to ensure a peaceful and controlled environment throughout the day.
Multi-Layered Security in Action
The rally’s magnitude — both politically and in terms of turnout — has prompted authorities to deploy more than 4,500 personnel across the rally venue and surrounding zones. Among the security apparatus:
- Elite Commando Units from the city’s special response teams have been posted at key intersections and near the main dais. These commandos are trained for rapid response in case of emergency.
- Drone Surveillance is being used extensively for the first time in the rally’s history. Real-time feeds from aerial drones are being routed to central command centers to monitor crowd flow and detect any irregular activity.
- Over 150 CCTV Cameras have been placed along major roads, rooftops, and intersections surrounding the venue. These feeds are being live-monitored by the police for threat detection.
Area of Focus
The focal points of this massive deployment include:
- Esplanade Junction and Park Street area
- Rani Rashmoni Avenue
- SN Banerjee Road, Lenin Sarani, and CR Avenue
- Entry and exit points at metro stations such as Esplanade, Central, and Chandni Chowk
To avoid disruption, barriers have been erected, and heavy-duty scanners installed to monitor movement around the rally venue. Personnel in plainclothes will also mingle with the crowd to track and defuse any tensions discreetly.
Traffic and Public Movement Regulation
Following directions from the Calcutta High Court, police have kept central Kolkata free for regular office commuters from 9 AM to 11 AM. After this time slot, traffic diversions will come into full effect.
Highlights of the traffic and movement plan:
- Office-goers and emergency services will be given dedicated corridors until 11 AM.
- Buses from districts ferrying TMC supporters are being directed to designated parking lots on the city’s fringes.
- Special advisories are being issued via FM radio, digital billboards, and social media handles of Kolkata Police.
Emergency Preparedness
- Medical booths with paramedics and ambulances are stationed at strategic locations.
- Fire tenders are also on standby near key structures, including public toilets and makeshift kitchens set up for rally participants.
- The Disaster Management Group (DMG) and Civil Defence volunteers are deployed to support public safety and first aid services.
Surveillance Command Network
Kolkata Police has activated a multi-screen monitoring hub in Lalbazar and mini control units at Esplanade and Dharmatala. These are integrated with:
- Facial recognition software to flag repeat offenders or wanted individuals.
- Wireless communication with mobile patrols and drone units.
- Coordination systems for incident response and crowd dispersal, if necessary.
Heightened Vigil: Legal Oversight
The entire security strategy is also shaped in response to the Calcutta High Court’s recent observations about:
- The need for balancing democratic expression with civic inconvenience.
- Maintaining free passage for non-participants, especially the working population.
Authorities are under strict judicial monitoring to ensure that any disruption is minimized and dealt with promptly.
Crowd Management Protocols
With the expected crowd size ranging between 50,000 to 1 lakh attendees:
- Entry into the core zone has been limited to pre-screened participants.
- Heavy deployment of women officers is in place to manage and secure female participants.
- Police are using loudspeakers and signage to guide crowd flow and maintain discipline.
Official Remarks
A senior Kolkata Police official stated,
“We are committed to ensuring both safety and the freedom to assemble. With new-age technology and coordinated planning, we’re confident of maintaining order throughout the day.”
Historical Significance
Martyrs’ Day commemorates the 13 Youth Congress workers who were killed during a police firing in Kolkata on July 21, 1993. Since then, the rally has become an annual political show of strength for TMC and its supporters. It also doubles as a platform to issue political statements, especially in the run-up to elections.
Conclusion
With aerial surveillance, elite commandos, mobile intelligence, and a digitized command system in place, Kolkata is undertaking one of its most comprehensive civilian security operations in recent memory. Authorities are hopeful that this year’s rally will uphold its democratic intent without compromising the safety or convenience of the city’s residents.
Official External Resources
- Kolkata Police – Official Website
- West Bengal Civil Defence
- Metro Railway Kolkata – Passenger Alerts
- Calcutta High Court – Notices & Orders
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