Howrah police seek details of all tenants to prevent terrorist infiltration

KOLAKATA: Police have asked landlords of all properties within the Howrah metropolitan area to furnish details of the tenants (new and old) or leasee on the basis of intel apprehending terrorists or anti-social elements seeking hideouts in the residential areas in the city.
The landlords are to provide details of the tenants, including his name, age, parent’s name, date of birth, permanent address, previous address, languages spoken, details of all family members, telephone number, period of accommodation, two references, details of the introductor to the landlord, a personal description like height, build, hair, complexion and identity marks along with photographs of all the family members of the tenant in a set proforma that can be downloaded from the police website and is available at the police stations.
“From the reports received so far, there is sufficient ground to apprehend that the terrorists or anti-social elements may seek hideouts in the residential areas of the Police Stations falling under the metropolitan area of Howrah and whereas, there is every likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity and also there is a grave danger to human life and safety and injury to public property on that account,” a notification issued by Howrah police commissioner Praveen Tripathi read.
The order came into force on and from March 31 — a day after violence rocked Shibpur in Howrah following a Ram Navami procession — and is to remain in force for two months.
“No land-lord or owner or person whose property falls under the jurisdiction of any of the police stations in Howrah metropolitan area shall let/sublet/lease/rent out any residential accommodation or grant lease or license to any person unless and until the said landlord/owner/person has furnished the particulars of the said tenant(s)/ license to the officer–in–charge of the police station concerned,” the order read.
The landlord will be liable to six months of imprisonment under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code upon violation of the order.