Special police force for Kolkata to counter extremism

Kolkata, Jul 17 (UNI) A special police force was being constituted to check terrorist activities in Kolkata, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said today.

The Chief Minister told the Assembly that the special force, being formed, would be equipped with all modern tools and devices to help monitor and counter militancy in the city.

''Terrorism is a global menace and it is happening in and around many important cities across the world. The force for Kolkata is conceptualised to ensure safety and security of the people of the city,'' Mr Bhattacharjee observed.

He informed that at present the strength of the State Police and Kolkata Police was 54,725 and 24,955 respectively, stating that police training was being strengthened at the Barrackpore unit.

Referring to the possibility of increasing the police force, Mr Bhattacharjee said 12,395 posts were lying vaccant across the state which would be fulfilled first.

''The state government is committed to improving law and order in West Bengal and taking all required measures and the special police force for Kolkata is a step in that direction, '' he maintained.

UNI ADG SJC RR NS2042