Elaborate security measure in Bengal

Kolkata, Dec 13 (UNI) With the Left parties backing the nationwide strike, the West Bengal Government today initiated fool proof security measures.

A high level meeting of the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and top police officials reviewed the situation while the district authorities had been asked to ensure necessary arrangements for those willing to join duty.

Inspector General of Police(Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told UNI that an elaborate security arrangement had been made in all parts of the state with special thrust on guarding vital installations and pre-empting political violence.

"We are not taking any chance. Besides the regular forces,reserve batallions of state police and Rapid Action Force have been put on duty in front of Government buildings, power stations, bridges and other important installations. The number of mobile police units have also been increased for round-the-clock vigil," he said.

Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee said a strict watch would be kept on the political volatility, specially in view of the ongoing hunger strike by Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee in the Esplanade area in the heart of the city.

"The strength of police to be on constant duty has almost been doubled. They will pre-empt any untoward incident and intervene in case of any obstruction to the people willing to join duty," he said.

The strike has been called by National Platform of Mass Organisations (NPMO), a combine of 56 organisations in support of a 16-point charter of demands. The CPI(M) frontal wing CITU is one of the constitutents of NPMO.

While CITU is working overtime to make the strike a success, the ruling Left Front has extended full support to it.

In a contradiction to Chief Minister's investment policy, CITU said the IT sector would not be excluded from under the purview of the strike.

However, the Chief Minister made it clear that the Government would make all arrangements to keep going the functioning in the IT hub in the Salt Lake area.

UNI KDG KK SS1807