All police divisions across Kolkata have been asked to review their stock of gas guns, shells and grenades that are used for handling law and order situations.
The directive came on Monday evening, hours after a group of men unleashed violence in pockets of southeast Kolkata.
The group blocked a railway line, attacked police personnel and torched six police vehicles, following the gruesome murder of a seven-year-old girl. Police lathi-charged and used tear gas guns.
Senior officers of Kolkata police said the review of stock of gadgets was important to ensure all police stations were equipped to handle such situations.
The directive that was issued from Kolkata police headquarters at Lalbazar said: “All the police stations have been supplied with gas guns, shells and grenades. All the divisional DCs (deputy commissioners) should review it to make sure that a sufficient number of gas teams are available in case of law and order situations.”
The news of the death of a seven-year-old girl, who was reported missing from her home and later found dead in a gunny bag in a neighbour’s home, had triggered violent reactions in pockets of southeast Kolkata .
A group of men initially surrounded the local police station and demanded custody of Alok Kumar, the man who has been arrested for sexual assault and murder of the child.
Later, when Kumar was produced before the court and remanded in police custody, the agitated men took to the streets and unleashed violence on and around Bondel Gate.
Forces from the local police division were deployed before additional forces from Lalbazar were called in.
The Kolkata police jurisdiction is divided into nine divisions, each headed by an officer of the rank of deputy commissioner. Each division has its reserve of anti-rioting gear.
“In case of additional requirement, the anti-rioting gear is taken from the headquarters,” said an officer posted in Lalbazar.
Anti-rioting gear includes gas guns, fibre shields, fibre lathis, batons and helmets.
The directive circulated on Monday further said: “Similarly the availability of shields, helmets, too should be reviewed. Joint commissioner (training) to organise training programme for gas firing. For any law and order situation, a composite team should be readily available with each division. Those police stations which don’t have gas guns should collect it immediately.”
A senior officer said training programmes would soon be organised for police personnel who are deployed for law and order duties.
“For a prompt response and flawless handling of anti-riot gadgets in case of law and order situations, it is important to have routine training sessions. We will soon initiate them,” said the officer.
