The Hindu : National : Tight security to continue in West Bengal

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National

Tight security to continue in West Bengal

Kolkata Bureau

“No reports of any breach of law and order”
Many shops remained closed in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Security arrangements across West Bengal will remain in place for the next few days even though there was no untoward incident till late on Thursday in the wake of the verdict on the Ayodhya title suits.

Outgoing Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters at the Secretariat that there have been no reports of any breach of law and order, but the State administration was “prepared.”

Busy thoroughfares wore a deserted look in the city as most schools closed earlier and office-goers called it a day before duty hours fearing trouble.

Many shops remained closed. Traffic was sparse in the central business district and even the Secretariat was emptied as news of the judgement started trickling in.

Several offices in the State's electronic hub in Salt Lake, on the city's eastern fringes also closed before their normal time, although the outsourcing offices, catering to overseas clients maintained their normal 24x7 working hours.

Besides putting the State on a security alert, the government had asked district administrations to hold meeting with leaders of various communities as also local political leaders in a bid to preserve peace and harmony.

Senior city police officials said the force deployment in the 18 police station areas identified as sensitive will continue on Friday.

“Places of worship will be kept under special security watch and the order against taking out any peace or celebration or protest procession in connection with the verdict has to be maintained until further orders are received.

Some additional officials of the Deputy Commissioner rank will be mobilised from Thursday night,” Jawed Shamim, City Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), said.

Saying that there was an incident of a peace march being taken out by students of a north Kolkata school during the day, Mr. Shamim said the police intervened on time and the school's headmaster has been detained.

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