KOLKATA: A specialised team of officers from Bidhannagar police have been tasked to keep watch over the morning walkers in New Town, after multiple incidents of morning snatching, harassing and stalking were reported in this part of the city in last few weeks.
The morning surveillance is part of a slew of measures taken by cops, including formation of a resistance group with equal participation of residents and policemen, and organising self-defence workshops for women in the township. The extensive security was arranged after there were multiple instances of early morning snatching reported last month. It was followed by complaints from New Town residents about compromised safety after dusk with women raising voice about several incidents of eve teasing, molestation and harassment.
“We are glad that the cops have been taking issues raised by us very seriously and have provided us with the much needed safety cover. The presence of the men in uniform on some of the key arteries and lanes used by morning walkers will certainly deter criminals and allow us a peaceful start to the day,” said Samaresh Das, a New Town resident and senior member of New Town residents’ quick response team formed to help women in township during emergency.
A similar move has also been initiated by Kolkata Police where officers in uniform have been patrolling morning walk zones like Maidan, Rabindra Sarobar, Alipore Agri-Horticultural Society, Parnasree Lake and Subhas Sarobar along with lanes and stretches in Golf Green and Southern Avenue. “Safety for the residents in the township has always remained our priority. Hence, we have enhanced security along areas where residents come out for their walks,” said a senior official of Bidhannagar Commissionerate.
“The cops had given us a patient hearing in the last few meetings and have taken action. They arrested the man who had tormented my daughter at a desolate stretch in New Town two weeks back, have arrested a person who snatched a gold chain from a woman, and agreed to offer self-defence classes to women,” said a woman whose daughter was harassed by a middle aged biker.
