Senior cops to lead special night checks across Kolkata

KOLKATA: The local police stations have been asked by the top brass to carry out special night checks under direct guidance of senior officers led by the DCPs. The night checks were discontinued five months back after the Covid outbreak. The development comes in the wake of the Anadapur incident.
The directive said the checks should involve ACPs, OCs and additional OCs. The first such night checking was conducted on Tuesday at Gariahat, Park Circus, Ritchie Road and Golpark, under the southeast division and Cossipore, Shyambazar and Sinthee in the north.
“We set up nakas because the night curfews have not yet been revoked. But that was mainly with the purpose to stop unnecessary movement at night. We used to challan the accused under section 188 and provisions of the Disaster Management Act. But this time, the focus will also be on crime control,” said an officer.
Sources in Lalbazar said that among the officers present on Tuesday night were DC (SED) Debasmita Das along with OC (Gariahat) Soumya Banerjee. “These special checks happen from time to time. But we are increasing our presence at night,” said Das.
CP Anuj Sharma has asked the top brass to join the naka checks. “We are taking the security of citizens very seriously. Anyone in distress can dial
100. Kolkata Police is there with you,” said Sharma.