Three teams of eight constables each are taking turns in jogging and exercising on the Maidan from 5am to 7am every day in an attempt to boost security of morning walkers by increasing police visibility on the greens.

The 24 constables in the three teams have been drawn from 11 police stations in the south division. One team will jog and exercise each day.

The group activity started on Monday, five days after three morning walkers were robbed by two scooter-borne men. One of the walkers was attacked with a knife and the butt of a gun when he tried to resist the robbers.

“Each group has eight constables, who are split into three or four sub-groups.

They jog and do other physical exercises in earmarked parts of the Maidan. The groups are numbered one, two and three,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.

“The constables have been given similar T-shirts so they can be identified as members of Calcutta police. This way we are trying to increase the police coverage across the Maidan.”

This activity is in addition to the deployment of extra forces in the Maidan area, the officer said.

Police deployment on the Maidan was stepped up a day after the three morning walkers were attacked.

Hundreds of Calcuttans from across the city choose the lush green Maidan for morning and evening walks. Covid curbs and parking restrictions in and around the sprawl have reduced the footfall, making those who still turn up there vulnerable to attacks.

Constables from Maidan, Hastings, Tollygunge, Kalighat, Chetla, Alipore, New Alipore, Charu Market, Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani and Bhowanipore police stations have been chosen for the morning activity.

One of the officers who was aware of the plan said increased visibility of policemen, even those who are not in uniform, could act as a deterrent to criminals.

“Incidents of snatching or robberies happen mostly on deserted stretches, where criminals feel they are not being watched or can get away easily. A person with bad intentions will think twice before committing a crime if he or she sees policemen around,” said an IPS officer.

Before the attack by the scooter-borne men, cops in one patrol van and on two motorcycles were on Maidan duty every morning.

The number has since been doubled and four police pickets were set up where cops with walkie-talkies are posted for quick and effective communication.