Kolkata cops go for netting of police cars, reissue arms ban notice

KOLKATA: Lalbazar has made it mandatory for police vehicles out on difficult law-and-order duty to have a strong protective wire mesh on their windscreens and the windows. Also, the cops imposed restrictions on carrying of weapons after multiple photographs emerged where protesters are seen carrying sharp weapons during the Nabanna march. This will remain effective between Sept 1, 2024, to Feb 28, 2025.

The orders come days after several cops from the DC-East received severe injuries as vandals rained stones on their convoy near the Eden Gardens during the Nabanna Abhijan. Sergeant Debashis Chakraborty, who was in charge of the East division cyber cell, was severely injured in the attack and may lose vision in his left eye. At last three other cops received eye injuries and another two were injured in the head.

The Lalbazar transport department sent the wire mesh directive to all police stations, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners of divisions on Thursday. According to sources, a report on the implementation must be submitted to the department by Sept 10.

To protect officers from bricks thrown by protesters, several prison vans of Kolkata Police and the vehicle of the Nadial police station OC, along with HRFS and QRT vehicles, have already been fitted with such iron mesh. “KP had wire meshes on their vehicles even till early 2000. We are still not clear how and why that was discontinued,” recalled an officer.

“Wire mesh cannot be easily damaged. They can even withstand sledgehammer assault. It provides high visibility and allows free and clear flow of sounds. It also works well with security cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” a cop document stated.

Meanwhile, cops have arrested three more persons linked to the Chhatra Samaj-led march on Aug 27. The total arrests across the state has now touched 260. Among the new arrests are Roshankumar Jaiswal and Chandranath Das. While Jaiswal has been arrested in connection with the Hastings PS case, Das was picked up for his role in the Muchipara PS case. Sources claimed the accused had incited the protesters to first bring down the police barricades and later attack cops. Cops stated that their role in setting a police bike on fire was being ascertained.