Kolkata Police has deployed armed personnel at 15 major Durga Puja pandals to protect valuable jewellery worn by Durga idols, with officers maintaining round-the-clock surveillance until the ornaments are removed.
The security plan prepared by Lalbazar includes armed police teams, two-shift duty rosters and CCTV monitoring at all 15 pandals. Police personnel have also been instructed to prevent devotees and outsiders from getting too close to the idols.
At a large and well-known pandal in central Kolkata, the police deployment includes two officers and two armed personnel carrying rifles. The officers comprise a sub-inspector or sergeant and an assistant sub-inspector, both of whom will also carry service pistols.
A pandal on S.N. Banerjee Road in the Taltala area is being guarded by an SSI and two constables armed with rifles. At the remaining 13 pandals, two police personnel equipped with automatic rifles have been assigned security duties.
The protected pandals are located across several parts of the city, including Beniapukur, Shyampukur, Jorabagan, Ballygunge, Kalighat, Bhawanipore, Gariahat, Panchasayar and Entally. Four of the 15 pandals are in the Beniapukur area.
The deployment is intended to remain in place for as long as the jewellery remains on the idols. Police personnel and officers have been assigned to two shifts so that security coverage continues without interruption during the festival period.
Organisers have also strengthened arrangements under police directions. Most of the pandals have hired private security guards, while some have deployed armed private guards. Multiple CCTV cameras have been installed at each of the 15 locations, and organisers are monitoring the footage from control points at the pandals.
The arrangements place responsibility for protecting the ornaments across the police, puja organisers and private security teams, while access around the idols remains under closer watch during public viewing.
