Kolkata
Bengal Government Plans Modern Gear for Police After Park Circus Incident
The Kolkata Police Commissioner has constituted a five-member committee to assess riot-control equipment used by central forces and Delhi Police, with recommendations expected within 15 days as part of a broader modernisation initiative.
In a significant step towards strengthening law-and-order preparedness, the Kolkata Police has constituted a five-member committee to evaluate and modernise its riot-control equipment.
The committee will be headed by Nilanjan Biswas and has been tasked with examining the riot-control and protective equipment currently used by the Delhi Police, the Central Reserve Police Force, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
According to officials, the panel will conduct a comparative assessment of the equipment used by these agencies and the gear currently available with Kolkata Police. The objective is to identify gaps, evaluate operational requirements, and recommend upgrades to improve officer safety and crowd-control capabilities.
The committee has been directed to submit a comprehensive report within 15 days, outlining its findings and recommendations for procurement and modernisation.
The move comes in the wake of recent law-and-order incidents, including the stone-pelting episode in the Park Circus area where several police personnel sustained injuries. The incident triggered a review of existing riot-management resources and operational preparedness.
Police officials believe that adopting advanced protective gear, communication systems, crowd-control tools, and tactical equipment similar to those used by central forces will enhance the capability of Kolkata Police to handle public disturbances and emergency situations more effectively.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to play a key role in shaping future procurement decisions and strengthening the force’s overall response mechanisms.
