Dec 2017-Jan 2018
CONTENT
PAGE PHOTO STORY PAGE URBAN POLICING NURTURING TOMORROW BIDHANNAGAR NORTH: POLICE STATION 10 35 WITH A DIFFERENCE
PAGE LEAD STORY PAGE PHOTO STORY ADDRESSING HUMAN TRAFFICKING: CRUSADE AGAINST TERROR 14 CRACKING THE EPICENTER 38 HUMANS IN UNIFORM
PAGE COVER FEATURE PAGE GUARDING PEACE KANYASHREE – WALKING THAT EXTRA MILE: FROM SO - 20 A COMING-OF-AGE JOURNEY 42 CIAL MEANS TO COMMUNITY CONNECT
PAGE IN COVERSATION PAGE SPEARHEADING BIDHANNAGAR COMMISSIONERATE: CHINSURAH POLICE STATION: CARVING 24 PRIORITIZING SAFETY 46 A NEW NICHE
PAGE TALE OF GLORY PAGE PHOTO STORY THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER WITH CELEBRATING VALOR 28 THE BRASS PROTECTING IT 48
PAGE FRIENDLY NEIGHBOUR PAGE FACE TO FACE NEW TOWN POLICE STATION: BREAKING SUMANA BALA SAHOO: A TRUE BLUE 32 BARRIERS 50 COP WITH A NOVEL MISSION
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 4 Founder Chairman Late Shri R.K. Prasad PAGE Published By: PHOTO STORY New Media Communication Pvt. Ltd. 55 UTSARGA: EVERY DROP In association with West Bengal Police COUNTS Managing Editor: Satya Swaroop Directors: B.K. Sinha, Kamaljit S. Sr. Editor: Udaya Tarra Nayar Executive Editors: Atula Imchen, Suresh Vasudevan Marketing Services: Veerendra Bhargava Admin & Finance: Sunil Kumar Liaison Officer: Vrunda G PAGE GUEST COLUMN Support Executive: Arvinder ELIMINATING ONLINE CHILD Circulation: Jawaharlal, Santosh G, Vijay 57 Art Director: Santosh Nawar SEXUAL ABUSE Sr. Graphic Designer: Hemant Kolambe Photographers: Tathagata Das, Mainak Bagchi, Arijit & Abhijit Saha For Advertising Contact: 09830043339 / 09051112019 [email protected] BRANCHES: Kolkata: PAGE FEATURE Anurag Sinha , Regional Head, New Media Communication Pvt Ltd. 60 ROADS: THE CONNECTING DOTS 4, Fairle Place, HMP House, 2nd Floor, Room No. 419, Kolkata 700 001 Mobile: 09830043339 / 09051112019 Tel: 033-40042683/2667. Email: [email protected] Subhajit Bhattacharya , Roving Editor Mobile: 09051118843 PAGE Email: [email protected] VOX POP Anubhav Chakraborty , Correspondent 66 ‘More outreach programmes Arun Kr. Das , Admin & Circulation directed towards specific aspect Pune: of policing needed’ Jagdish Khaladkar, Regional Director, Mobile: 098230 38315 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Patna: PAGE HEALTH AND FITNESS Rajesh Naraen, Vimmi Prasad 173 - B, 2nd Floor, S.K. Puri, Patna 800001. Bihar CHILDREN AND SMARTPHONES: Email: [email protected] 68 FRIENDS OR FOES? Mobile: 09334390988 Bangalore: C.V. Shankarnarayanan Mobile: +919902216970 Australia Office: PAGE Bandhana Kumari Prasad, 129 Camboon Road, STAR MAKER Noranda, Perth, W.A. 6062 Tel: 0061 892757447 70 ‘STREAMING WON’T DESTROY CINEMA, Email: [email protected] IT WILL ONLY STRENGTHEN IT’ New Media Communication Pvt. Ltd., New Media House, 1 Akbar Villa, Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 059 Tel: +91-22-2925 0690. Telefax: +91-22-2925 5279 E-mail: [email protected] www.newmediacomm.com PAGE West Bengal Police Headquarters PROTECTORS Bhabani Bhaban, 31/A, Belevedere Road, Alipur, KRISHNA SARKAR – THE ‘BUTTERFLY Kolkata - 700 027, West Bengal, India 73 WOMAN’ OF BENGAL EPABX Number: 91(033)-2479-4035/4036/4056/4057 Editor: Anurag Sinha Printed & Published by Anurag Sinha Printed at: Mumbai Enterprises, Sakinaka, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai and Published From Flat 2B /303, Avishikta-1, PAGE CRIME FIGHTERS Near Ruby Hospital, Kolkata-700078. CYBER CRIME AGAINST WOMEN IN The news items and information published herein have been 76 INDIA AND THE LAWS collected from various sources, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 5 From the desk oF the editor
Human trafficking is the fastest growing organized crime in the world. As per reports generated by different NGOs and government-run security agencies, every year more than 700,000 people are ferried across the world illegally. Observers believe that the trafficking industry has grown by leaps and bounds within a very short span of time. It is giving tough competition to the drug trafficking industry which is sitting tight at the top-most position of the crime ladder. According to a report published by Thompson Reuters Foundation, almost more than 20,000 women and children have fallen prey to human trafficking in 2016. The report also hinted towards a steep rise in the numbers. This unforeseen surge in the number of human trafficking has also brought forth several restrictive measures initiated by states which are the worst affected by this malice. The bordering states of India such as West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have rolled out multiple measures to nip this crime in the bud. Cops of these states are joining hands and working in tandem with Women and Child Welfare Department of their respective states. Amongst many of these projects, Kanyashree and Swayangsiddha have reaped unparallel results within a very short span of time and created a wave of awareness amongst young children and women who are vulnerable. These sensitization campaigns have successfully bolstered a movement against human trafficking and added fuel to the sulking morale of the millions of victims who have been subjected to trafficking across the globe. Still, the registrations of human trafficking cases are minimal. Still victims of human trafficking bear the brunt of the crime and stay away from the legal ecosystem. Thus, it is important for us, as a society, to join hands and start a crusade against this crime and build opinions and shatter taboos which are dovetailed with crimes like human trafficking to build a better future for the generations to come. Happy Reading
Satya Swaroop Managing Editor [email protected]
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 6
From the desk oF dGP Here’s wishing everybody a very happy New Year. I would also like to appreciate the entire force for their relentless service during the long festive season and congratulate them for their immaculate performance in seeing off the grand GangaSagar Mela which is considered to be having one of the highest footfalls in the country.
I also congratulate all citizens and men and women in Khaki for joining hands and making Traffic Safety Week a great success. Safe Drive Save Life initiative has already changed the present architecture of traffic management in Bengal and has significantly brought down road accidents.
In the First Anniversary edition of West Bengal Protector we are bringing forth a slew of initiatives that we rolled out across the state of Bengal to shield Human Trafficking. Swayangsiddha is leading the pack no doubt. For us, what is heartening is Bengal reports some of the highest recoveries and a humane approach.
Swayangsiddha, a youth-led, preventive action plan of the West Bengal Police, has been extremely successful in remote corners of the state, bringing about a socio-economic change.
Kanyashree the globally acclaimed, state-of-the-art project recognizes freedom and dignity of women folk and aims to give them more power by identifying their potential and caliber. The move identifies organized and positive forces within society to combat coordinated crime in the form of human trafficking and another social evil — child marriage.
West Bengal Police attempts to achieve steady and long-lasting solutions of not only problems related to Police interface but also in working out a healthy and nurturing Police Public relationship.
With newer challenges emerging and the society moving fast in all directions, we are committed to put in our best in building up professionalism and offering selfless and dedicated service to our citizens.
Surajit Kar Purkayastha, IPS Director General & Inspector General of Police
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 9 Photo STORY
NurturiNg
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 10 tomorrow
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 11 Photo STORY
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 12 The West Bengal PROTECTOR 13 LeAd STORY
addressiNg humaN traffiCkiNg: CraCkiNg the epiCeNtre By Sanjoy Mukherjee, IPS, ADGP CID
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 14 est Bengal Police have been destination for those searching who on the plea of providing W fighting a tough war for jobs and a better standard of them good jobs in metropolitan against human trafficking. But living in a democratically mature cities and other urban areas the threat still looms large and state. traffic them and then sell them continues to haunt some of the With globalization off. bordering districts of Bengal. encouraging movement across Traffickers also approach West Bengal Police over the borders, aspiring migrants, poor families on the pretext of years has undertaken a wide either unaware of the hazards of marrying their daughters. They range of steps to combat this migration or unable to bear the even promise to pay money. threat and achieved significant legal costs of documentation and After marriage, the girls are sold results. legal entry, fall easy prey to off and become untraceable. human smugglers and Traffickers also build up (A) Discuss the problem traffickers. love relationships with young at large West Bengal and West Bengal shares long Bangladesh international borders with share over Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. 2216 A range of socio-economic kilometers factors in the region is a cause of of border, a human trafficking across these significant areas, particularly with respect to portion of women and children. West which is Bengal is both a destination and porous and a conduit for trafficking in vulnerable humans, many of whom face to cross- sexual exploitation. border movement. The significant factors that Similarly, currently facilitate it in West Bhutan and Bengal are: Nepal borders are open and there girls, promising to marry them Significant socio-economic is no hindrance in cross-border and settle in urban areas. This disparities between the people of movement. Taking advantage of way, they obtain the trust and neighbouring countries and the vulnerability in confidence and then traffic them India have always been the neighbouring countries, gullible and sell them off. driving force behind trafficking migrants, made vulnerable by in the area. poverty, gender and illiteracy, are (B) Regulatory and Higher degrees of poverty, easy victims of human enforcement measures illiteracy and lack of economic traffickers, who promise them rolled out by West opportunity drive people from document-free, unofficial Bengal Police neighbouring countries into passage across the border. India, with West Bengal being a Girls and women of West • West Bengal transit route as well as a Bengal fall prey to traffickers Police Order No.5 dated
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 15 LeAd STORY
14/07/2014 was issued by the already started showing empowerment of socially DG & IGP of West Bengal for wonderful results. marginalized women with setting up separate AHTU units • KANYASHREE special stress on those who are in all districts of West Bengal. In PRAKALPA was launched by vulnerable to immoral pursuant to that order, in all the the government of West Bengal trafficking. 29 Districts/ Police Districts/ on October 1, 2013. This is a Police Commissionerates/GRP conditional cash transfer scheme (C) Special focus on Districts of West Bengal, that incentivises the schooling of districts and specific separate AHTU Units have been all teenage girls between the ages police stations that has set up who are dealing with only of 13 and 18, simultaneously waged a war against human trafficking cases. AHTU, disincentivizing child marriage. human trafficking CID, WB is the nodal unit of • MUKTIR ALO: The scheme West Bengal. was launched by the West • Various district/units along • In the year 1996, Governor Bengal government for with the NGOs have also started of West Bengal was pleased to rehabilitation of sex workers and several awareness programmes at appoint all officers not below the victims of sex trafficking in the the block and village levels for rank of Inspector of Police in state under the Department of educating girl students and West Bengal Police and Kolkata Women and Child Development women in their areas to prevent Police to act as Special Police and Social Welfare, government them getting involved with Officers in their respective local of West Bengal. traffickers. jurisdiction for dealing with • SWAWALAMBAN • A project styled as offences under Immoral Traffic SCHEME was launched for the “Swayamsiddha” was initiated by Prevention Act, 1956. This socially distressed women and South 24-Parganas District refers to Notification no. girls including transgenders, Police of the state. It is a 4466/SW/O/3W-25-96 dated trafficked victims, sex workers preventive initiative and is 25/09/1996. and women in danger of the age perceived to be an answer to one • Awareness programmes group between 18 and 35 years of the most heinous inter-state against human trafficking through which vocational and transnational organized involving the village Panchayat training is imparted in crimes i.e. human trafficking, members are constantly going collaboration with NGOs. This especially sex trafficking on. Such programmes have scheme emphasizes economic and is also a countermeasure
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 16 against another evil practice matters. With the emergence of international security of society — child marriage. a new platform, the expectation agencies such as BSF/ Swayamsiddha is a Sanskrit word of common man will rise. With Bangladesh Border that indicates a “Self Reliant the increasing demand of people, Security Force Woman — The Path Finder of the units of administration society”. The “Swayamsiddha assigned with the task of • CID, West Bengal along initiative” has been designed combating trafficking and child with District Police launched a to organize positive forces in marriage will draw constant special operation against dreaded society to combat organized motivation to deliver to its trafficker in the state and crime in the form of human potential. arrested notorious traffickers, trafficking and evil social • The impact of the drive of recovering a good number of practice of child marriage. This CID West Bengal against the victims, both girls and boys. initiative aims at penetrating organized traffickers and their This has led to a major blow to into the minds of people initiative along with various their activities in the state of with the awareness other districts to bring awareness West Bengal. In the year 2015, about trafficking and among the people of the affected 2016 and 2017, a dedicated ills associated with child areas has started showing good campaign titled as “Operation marriage. Police-public contact results. Smile” and “Operation Muskan” opens the floodgate of was held during which drive information about missing girls, (D) Role of CID and other from various places like railway women, traffickers and related national and stations, brickfields, line hotels
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 17 LeAd STORY etc the following number of victims of trafficking and cross- CID, West Bengal. During the children were recovered: border movement from investigation, it transpired that Bangladesh. Regular the girl has been trafficked to MUSKAN 1 JULY 2015 985 interactive meetings are Delhi and sold off there. MUSKAN 2 JULY 2016 627 being attended by Accordingly, on 26/07/2016 MUSKAN 3 JULY 2017 818 representatives of High AHTU, CID team held raids at Commission of Bangladesh, different areas of Delhi and after SMILE 1 JANUARY 2015 754 BSF, CID, WB and relentless efforts, they were able SMILE 2 JANUARY 2016 574 members of NGOs who are to recover the minor girl from also stakeholders of the task the clutches of trafficker Firoj • The following is the figure of force. The formation of task force Ali and was also able to secure the arrest of human traffickers has brought wonderful results in the arrest of the trafficker/ and recovery of victim girls due rescue, safe return and harbourer. Later on the first to all-out efforts against the repatriation of women and child procurer/trafficker Raju, alias menace. victims of trafficking and cross- Mosaraf Laskar was also arrested Statement of arrest and border movement:- after much effort. recovery in human trafficking After recovery, the victim was cases of West Bengal: In the year 2015, 109 victims found to be in a highly traumatized stage. Her Year Arrest Victim Girls Victim Boy counselling was done with the Recovered Recovered help of an NGO. After proper assistance, she has now returned Male Female Major Minor Major Minor to normal life and is now learning sewing skills under the 2013 843 96 249 697 23 18 guidance of an NGO so that she 2014 1289 95 283 1117 21 71 can earn her own livelihood. She 2015 1061 235 316 901 90 126 was also brave enough to identify 2016 1592 255 499 1819 73 397 all the traffickers in Test 2017 552 140 134 374 22 15 Identification Parade. upto October (b) Minor girl trafficked for illegal marriage • West Bengal government were repatriated. On 07/01/15 at 7.00 hrs, one has taken special initiative for In the year 2016, 145 victims KIRAN Kumari (16+) (name inter-state coordination were repatriated. changed) of Baguihati, Kolkata, mechanism relating to human In the year 2017 (up to left her house for tuition and trafficking rescue/information. November), 53 victims have disappeared. Control of the This has resulted in the signing been repatriated. investigation was assumed by of a MoU between West Bengal CID, West Bengal on and Maharashtra on 30/05/2014. (E) Inspiring stories of 25/02/2015. Mother of the • A Police Coordination victims of human victim girl informed that she had committee comprising the trafficking. How cops received a call from her daughter DGPs of the Eastern region has gave them a new lease from an unknown number. It also been set up and matters of life was found that the call came relating to human trafficking are from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. A discussed in the meeting of the (a) Minor girl trafficked for team of AHTU, CID, WB Eastern Regional Police flesh trade and rescued by rushed to Bijnor and spotted the Coordination committee. police house, held raid but the victim • Government of West Bengal On 22/03/2016, Ruksar had been already transported to has already created West Bengal Khatun (15+ years) (Name another place. After proper Task Force on 14/12/2007 for changed) was kidnapped by one collection of information, the rescue, safe return and Raju. Later this case was taken CID team held raids at Kashipur repatriation of women and child up for investigation by AHTU, Railway Station and was able to
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 18 recover the girl. The victim was forceful marriage with one arrested accused persons in Test found to be in a highly Bhisham Sharma who eventually Identification Parade. The trial traumatized state. raped the victim. She was kept of the case has commenced and The victim girl was counselled confined at the residence of she accurately deposed before properly and after that, she Chitra Sharma and then her son the court. revealed that she was procured too raped her for two months. by one Rahul (unknown). He Later Chitra again handed over first procured the minor and the girl to Kamal, in fear of the reached Babughat, Kolkata. He police. On the way back to left the girl alone there and she Kashipur, Kamal and his waited and another unknown accomplice Sushil took turns to person who came and told her rape her. that Rahul had sent him. That AHTU, CID, WB then held unknown person then trafficked raids at Uttar Pradesh, her to Kashipur, Uttarakhand Uttarakhand, Bihar and secured and sold the girl to one Kamal the arrest of six accused persons. who then transported her to The victim girl after proper Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. Chitra counselling has now returned to Sharma of Bijnor, UP, purchased the mainstream. She was brave the girl from Kamal, arranged a enough to identify all the
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 19 CoVer FEATURE
kaNyashree – a ComiNg-of-age jourNey THE CAGED BIRD SINGS / WITH A FEARFUL TRILL / OF THINGS UNKNOWN / BUT LONGED FOR STILL
By Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS sense of her own identity in a entitlements remain out of reach. deeply unequal society. Invisible and unheard, they live n her seminal 1969 India too has its caged birds – dreary lives, their bodies, minds, I autobiography “I Know the millions of adolescent girls aspirations and talents sacrificed Why the Caged Bird Sings” who, confined by their gender, at the altar of social evils like Maya Angelou, who has been exist as daughters, sisters, wives child marriage. described as a symbolic character and mothers – with no identity In October 2013, the for every black girl living in to call their own. India’s Government of West Bengal America, refuses to be confined Constitution guarantees its launched Kanyashree Prakalpa, a by the constraints of her personal citizens the right against conditional cash transfer scheme historyand the histories of all the exploitation, and the that provides a safety net for African – American women of fundamental rights to equality, those vulnerable families who are her time.Instead she evolves freedom, and education. The forced, by tradition, social from being a childhood victim of reality,however,is that for the compulsion or poverty, to systemic racism, abuse, poverty majority of girls from truncate the education of their and patriarchy to a self- disadvantaged backgrounds daughters and contract them to deterministic adultwith a strong across the country, such wholly illegal and dangerous
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 20 marriages.Kanyashree’s climbing, computer training, targeted interventions need to be programmatic strategy directly chess, cricket etc. Kanyashree planned for particular strikes at the inter-linked issues girls now act as brand geographical areas and of child marriage and female ambassadors for the state’s various populations. Each district has school dropouts. The Scheme programmes on sanitation, safe pockets of vulnerability – the provides every indigent female driving, immunization, isolated islands of the student between the ages of 13 menstrual hygiene, and of course, Sunderbans, the inaccessible and 18 with an annual child marriage. pockets in the mountainous scholarship, and a one-time So far almost 45 lakh girls have north, the closed tea gardens of grant of 25,000 Rupees on her enrolled in Kanyashree Prakalpa, the Duars, the disadvantaged 18th birthday. The stipulation with about 11.28 lakh having communities in Purulia and being, of course, that she be reached age 18 without falling Bankura, the hubs of child unmarried at the time of prey to child marriage. trafficking in Malda and other receiving the benefits. Manygirls report feeling border areas – we must ensure To reinforce the positive enormously enabled- it is not that there is no girl left impact of increased education just the prospect of receiving unprotected and un-schooled in and delayed marriages, the money that excites them, but these areas. Girls who enroll in scheme also works to enhance the that they receive it in bank Kanyashree but drop-out must social power and self-esteem of accounts that are opened in their be brought back to school, or girls through adolescent-friendly own names. It has put on hold linked to other protective approaches like events, their parents’ quest for a suitable mechanisms. competitions and Kanyashree groom. Many girls have grasped However, getting girls to clubsto promote social and the opportunity to start a new remain in school and remain psychological empowerment. A dialogue with their parents, a unmarred till age 18 is not wave of martial arts training is dialogue in which they dare to enough. The state’s policy taking the state by storm – speak of their future identities makers need to ensure that the groups of girls clad in white are forged through continued increased time spent in schools demonstrating their agility and education and professional and colleges is well spent in skills in wu-shu, karate and training, identities that may – receiving a quality education, in taekwondo in school fields and in or may not – include marriage. a system where there are district competitions. A The Kanyashree story however, sufficient, capable teachers conscious effort is being made to has just begun.Now that the teaching in properly lit, well- break gender stereotypes by foundation of the scheme has ventilated classrooms, engaging girls in archery, rock been established in all districts, well-stocked libraries and up-to-
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 21 CoVer FEATURE date laboratories. The other Several systems – educational, entrepreneurs – whether in rural barriers that hinder girls’ access to commercial, and social - need to livelihood or in high-tech start- education – lack of toilets, poor evolve towards an environment ups will depend on their transport facilities, violence in in which girls aspire to become location, their abilities and their institutions and elsewhere – must leaders, professionals or own bent of mind. We must not be simultaneously addressed. technocrats. Or even lose sight of the fact that Kanyashree girls’ bank accounts are just a tool; true financial inclusion will be when these bank accounts see regular incomings and outgoings, lendings and borrowings that signify healthy, productive financial lives. Health systems need to evolve beyond blinkered discussions of reproductive health to ensuring that adolescents – both girls and boys – learn to deal with their emerging sexuality and relationships in healthy and mutually respectful manner. Across the world it is being acknowledged that adolescents are a significant demographic whose time has come. Kanyashree girls are at the age when they are establishing their individuality and their own voice. Given adequate support, they have the ability to articulate their needs, demand their rights and make their own choices. More important – they have tremendous potential as drivers for change. However, to put the entire responsibility of transformation on the shoulders of girls would be trap them in another cage. Whether West Bengal will reap the benefits of its investment in its adolescent girls will depend on whether we, as policy makers, can see beyond the economic dividend of preventing child marriage to building a cohort of confident, responsible and active citizens, both men and women, whose values and actions contribute towards a more equitable, violence-free society.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 22 "We are trying to make this an all encompassing project from the point of beneficiaries, as there are still pockets which are not under the purview of tHis initiative" "We are also trying to utilize this platform by making it a convergence point for all governmental schemes aimed at adolescence and women empowerment,issues such as health,nutrition and lifestyle are the main focus among others" "We also want to create child protection committee in the village level. We will also incorporate the club as the active members of the CPC's" "We are also utilizing different departmental funds to create training centres aimed at vocational education so that they are equipped with the technical skills that they wish to acquire." Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS, Secretary, Woman & Child Development and Social Welfare Dept. and Vice Chairman, WBCERC iN COVERSATION
BidhaNNagar CommissioNerate: prioritiziNg safety
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 24
iN COVERSATION
By Subhajit Bhattacharya “This was a FIFA World Cup was selected as the venue to host and we had to maintain the final of the tournament. It he world came to an awe as international standards. The also hosted some high-voltage T India successfully organized basic idea of this kind of matches of footballing nations its first ever FIFA tournament tournament is to provide such as Brazil, England and last year. The extravaganza, later wholesale entertainment to the Japan. To ensure the safety of the dubbed as the ‘most economic public and ensure hassle-free visitors and spectators alike, the World Cup’ by many, was held experience,” Singh said to The Bidhannagar Police took up a brilliantly as the Bidhannagar Protector. The Commissioner series of initiatives both inside Commissionerate went an extra was vocal while talking about and outside the stadium, which mile to ensure peace and calm. the priorities as he revealed: resulted in a smooth outcome at Talking about it, “Safety and security were issues the end. Commissioner of Police of the of utmost priority,” before “The problem is to maintain a said Commissionerate, adding, “We had provided full balance, to create a system Gyanwant Singh (IPS), spoke on security and full safety.” through which people could the commendable work of his The Vivekananda Yuva Bharati reach their destinations safely. forces and how they made it Krirangan or more commonly When they are inside the happen. known as the Salt Lake Stadium stadium, they are safe and if
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 26 something untoward happens, about other technological bits of community programmes which provisions of evacuation should assistance, Singh mentioned: have shown bright prospects be ready,” Commissioner Singh “240 CCTV cameras with very nonetheless. pointed out. high-end software were installed. “For elderly persons, we have a Speaking about measures We created a video wall and the programme called ‘Saanjhbaati’ taken inside the stadium resolution was so good that we and for young girls, we have campus, Singh revealed that his were able to monitor each and ‘Sukanya’. We regularly organize forces took a number of every block, entrance even every blood donation camps as well. technological help whereas person. We also host sporting activities volunteers also played a huge The procedure during the called ‘Bidhannagar Cup’ during part in keeping peace intact. World Cup proved to be the winters. Last year, more than “Roughly 2,500 persons entered impeccable for the police force 250 clubs participated in it.” on every match-day other than and became a textbook procedure The IT hubs like Salt Lake and the spectators. Each and every in the days that followed, Singh New Town have been a prized person was very thoroughly mentioned. “Even today, we are asset for the Bidhannagar checked,” he said. following the same protocols we Commissionerate. Being an IT Unsurprisingly, huge number followed during the World area, it has witnessed a lot of of police personnel was posted at Cup,” he added. cases associated with cybercrime the venue during the matches. However large were the in recent years, dealing with However, those numbers put arrangements during the FIFA which has been a major challenge other festivities such as the U-17 World Cup, the for the Bidhannagar police. Durga Puja in the city to shame Commissionerate went back to “Cybercrime police deals with as Singh revealed them. its usual day-to-day operations as very high-end cases. “It’s a huge number, more than the tournament came to an end. Unfortunately, it is happening in 3,700 actually. It was a massive With a large area of the Sector V and New Town. Lots of deployment.” Commissionerate’s jurisdiction bad elements have entered Although massive number of coming up as a smart city, the there,” Singh said before police personnel was posted in Commissioner spoke about his continuing. “They are coming front of each gate of the Salt Lake forces and the community- up with new ideas every other Stadium in the FIFA U-17 connect in the said area. day. Generally, their targets are World Cup, the Commissonerate “We have two-three special foreigners.” The Commissioner took an extra measure by frisking programmes. We have a also elaborated his force’s the incoming spectators for programme called ‘Cops’. In this, efforts to deal with the problem, contraband during the match- an officer is assigned a block (the as he revealed that the police days. Gyanwant Singh revealed ward in some cases) who go to have created a ‘database’ of that the Commissionerate took these places and communicate several such companies which the effort to install Door Frame with the locals,” he said. He also indulge in illegal affairs in the Metal Detectors inside the pointed out: “Our idea is they jurisdiction. stadium campus to frisk the will become part of the block With all the efforts of the incoming spectators for metal and in this manner, they would police, the Commissioner objects. also end up collecting thanked the general populace of “Those were the actual gates information about the block.” his jurisdiction for being an for us,” Singh revealed before Keeping various age groups extended helping hand of the mentioning the numbers of the and women in mind, the police. “The good thing is the metal detecting gates. “We Commissioner said his forces are public here I must say. They are created a 120 DFMDs.” Talking also indulging in several other very progressive,” he concludes. tALe OF GLORY the grass is always greeNer with the Brass proteCtiNg it By Anubhav Chakraborty promised a mega extravaganza in police establishment and the our beloved city, the logistical bulk of it fell on the shoulders of midst the ever-growing and security implications of such Bidhannagar Commissionerate. A roars of scores of football a grand event of international Here are excerpts from their fans filling up the streets of prominence brought forth an perspective on the event: Kolkata and hoardings that unprecedented challenge to the
Anindya Sundor Bhattacharya (ACP – Bidhannagar Zone)
“During the Under-19 World Cup, the role of police is a testament to the professionality and teamwork of our police force.”
This Under-19 World Cup has been a learning experience for all of us. An event of such magnitude and the vast challenges, both logistical and security it brought along, is somewhat unprecedented in our history as a policing institution. Twenty four teams participated in this event, which meant meaning we had to liaison with all those country’s security apparatus to ensure smooth sailing. We worked with the civic bodies as well as other government and non-governmental organisations. The number of gates through which the stadium can be accessed, we also created service roads to ensure that pedestrians do not face the problem of over-crowding. Special parking zones were set up especially for this particular event. It is a matter of tremendous pride that we, as a team, were able to perform so well and make sure that the event got over without a hitch. During the Under-19 World Cup, the role of police in it is a testament to the professionalism and teamwork of our police force. We had posted about 3,700 personnel for this event and looking back, it was quite challenging but a rewarding experience at the end of it.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 28 Mouli Khamaru (SI Bidhannagar North)
“The most important take away for me from this entire experience is that, it showed how essential and efficient teamwork is and how it can overcome any given number of challenges.”
I was posted in the traffic control room during the Under- 19 World Cup. In our control room, we had real-time footage. We had 4k and PTC cameras around the stadium, in total there were 242 cameras. The headquarters was headed by Santosh Kumar Pandey (DC Headquarters) with Surojit Dey (DSP) and with their guidance we took on the challenge head-on. Our work ranged from ensuring that every gate is accessible to supervising the safety instruments inside the stadium. We also took care of the pre-game formalities and essential checks and balances, such as assisting bomb squads and logistical personnel. The most important take away for me from this entire experience is that it showed how essential and efficient teamwork is and how it can overcome any given number of challenges.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 29 tALe OF GLORY
Biplab Mondal (Traffic Inspector, Bidhannagar Traffic)
“We worked together with Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies to create the best possible safety and easy passage for pedestrians and vehicles.”
We started preparing for this mega event three months prior to the inaugural ceremony. I, personally, took it as a challenge as a traffic inspector to ensure smooth vehicular movement and convenience on road during the Under-19 World Cup. We had a no-compromise attitude towards this whole event as any minor mismanagement would entail an international issue. With that in mind, the entire Bidhannagar city Police force with the CP leading the way took on this challenge. We worked together with Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies to create the best possible safety and easy passage for pedestrians and vehicles. We charted out parking spaces, vehicular and pedestrian routes and road fencing so that everything can be done in unison and in an organised manner. We prioritised parking spaces in and around the stadium so that the spectators do not have to walk any more than needed to enjoy a good game of football. We also compartmentalised tasks amongst ourselves, as there were international teams and we also had the Referee headquarters based in our city.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 30 Moloy Mondal (Bidhannagar South – Green Police/ Stewart)
“This training has brought a new-found confidence in myself and my ability to deliver my undertakings as a green police.”
This is the first time I have witnessed an event of such grandiosity. The training that we received for the U-19 World Cup has really helped us in reaching our full potential. During the training, we learnt the basics of crowd management and how to control and direct crowds through heavy traffic or congested areas. We were also taught how to pacify an agitated individual and how to find solutions without further aggravating the situation. We have managed the famous Kolkata derby before but the difference between the derby crowd and that of Fifa or ISL is the sheer temperament of the crowd, the latter being much more organised and in control of one’s emotion. This training has brought a new-found confidence in myself and my ability to deliver undertakings as a green police. The reason that we did our duties without any hiccup is because of unflinching support from our supervisors and seniors who guided us at every step. FrieNdLy NEIGhbOUR
New towN poliCe statioN: BreakiNg Barriers By Our Correspondent
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 32 n age-old image of a normal continuation of daily Atanu Ghosal was in the NCC A policeman is one with a affairs of its jurisdiction. The in his formative years. Thus, the stern, unfriendly face, police here go much beyond love for uniform was always characterized by an equally surly their mandated responsibilities, there. When presented with the demeanour, marked with sheer three to five police personnel opportunity to join the police aggressiveness and flaunting a donate blood every week and as force, he did not give it a second grumpy and rude attitude. the area is home to several thought and joined in 1991. With such an image, I walked nursing homes and migrant Ghosal, who is a first generation into the New Town police medical tourists, they take officer and father of two station. special care on those particular energetic boys, expressed his love A building with distinct occasions. He further elaborated: for adventure and how this keeps architectural features, the “For them, we are the first point him going. structure is placed just beside the of contact. They do not have any The officer, while reflecting main SRCM Road. As I other contact or source in the upon his career, states: “This is approached it, I ran into a group city that can help them in any the only job that gives an of constables who were leaving undesired situation. I remember ordinary person the means to on a patrol. They greeted me this when once I gave blood to a empower others and that is why with a smile and were courteous 9-year-old Bhutanese kid.” I do this every day”. He enough to show me to the room repeatedly stated the importance of the Inspector-in-Charge, KNOW YOUR OC – of community policing in this Atanu Ghosal. The age-old picture got its first jolt! The IC was out on one of his many assignments for the day and thus, I had to wait. As I waited for him to return, I helped myself to a tour of the police station and its surroundings. It was an organized structure and the whole ambience wore an approachable look and feel. As I was talking to the police personnel there, the IC arrived. Another jolt! The warm and courteous man greeted me with a smile and offered a cup of tea. From the word go, I could sense the passion he has for the work he does and the fulfilment he gets from being an officer in the police force. He stated that his police station handles around 1,00,000 people every day and it is also responsible for the security of around 55,000 IT employees who work there. The police station also maintains liaison with the local medical and business establishments to ensure the
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 33 FrieNdLy NEIGhbOUR
day and age. spend with his family but insists The Police Station also focuses that the joy he gets from his on criminal rehabilitation and is extended family in the police on a road to reduce homelessness station certainly compensates for in the vicinity. The IC himself that. helps out with social work and The Police Station’s response also reaches out to different time is within five (5) minutes, social organizations working in which is quicker than what it the area. once used to be. All that has The Police Station has been changed in the past few years as told by the local Panchayat to modernization of the police force help out with the recent flood has begun. like situation in the area. The The IC of New Town Police cops took immediate action and Station signs off: “The approach have splendidly coordinated, of police should always be such thus ensuring an uninterrupted that people feel connected with aid work. them, thus, facilitating community policing which is the Logistics of the only way to break free from the Police Station: stereotypical perception of the Patrolling Cars – FOUR (4). police force.” O.C — One (1). P.C Mobile – One (1). Total Strength - SIX (6). Human Resource of the station – Sub- Inspector – twelve (12). Male – 11. female -1. Assistant Sub- Inspector – Eight (8). Constable –Eighteen (30): Male – 18 Female – 12. Home guard – five(5) Male – 3 female -2.
The only regret that the officer has is not having enough time to
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 34 UrBAN POLICING
BidhaNNagar North: poliCe statioN with a differeNCe
By Our Correspondent J ust meters behind the huge state government offices, an old building stands with much grace and poise as police vans pass through its bylanes. It is the Bidhannagar North Police station. While I approached the station, I could sense the serenity and calmness that surrounds it.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 35 UrBAN POLICING
I was greeted by Sub-Inspector evolution. Mouli Khamara as the Inspector- He spoke in detail about the An officer nurturing a love for in-Charge Somnath Banerjee was outreach programmes that his cricket and other sports, a doting attending a meeting. A young station has initiated especially father, he also involves himself officer with just three years into directed towards sensitization of with blood donation camps and the service, she represents the schoolchildren about the social organizes football tournaments face of a new emerging police evils that prevail in our society, to engage with today’s youth. Banerjee, a graduate in B.SC, also holds a diploma in Computer Science. He cares deeply about the people he serves as he wholeheartedly believes in the mission and vision of the police force. “Police can see the darkness as well as the light of society. Thus, it is truly rewarding to serve the purpose of the people and stand beside them force, marked with ambition and like human trafficking and bank in the darkest of their times.” a strong sense of responsibility frauds. He is a first generation police towards the community. She officer in his family and he informed me about the lady KNOW YOUR OC enjoys cricket. As he explains: police station that their station has and also the cybercrime division. As we looked around, the ambience reminded me of how selfless the service is and how actually thankless it is. These men and women devote their entire lives to the safety and security of the masses and yet prejudices about policing still continue. Somnath Banerjee, a quintessential Bengali with a warm smile, reaffirming the faith and belief in the police force, welcomed me. Banerjee joined the police force in 1991 and was always eager to express his passion for his profession and how it has worked as a catalyst for his psychological
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 36 “The way Gavaskar used to tackle those bouncers from West Assistant Sub Inspector – police still prevails in Indian bowlers is something to 5 society and people are marvel at. Nowadays, it’s rare to still hesitant about see such grace in batsmen.” Constable -31 approaching the cops. He said that his police Junior Constables – 14 station is availing every Logistics of the Station - Lady – 11 Senior avenue to alter this Patrolling Cars – 2 Constables – 6. idea. Efforts are on to O.C -1 take policing as a Patrolling Bikes -2 There also a rotating community-centric Total – 5 posting of a deputation approach rather than force – 1st Battalion – 8. an authoritative one. Human Resource of the 3rd Battalion – 5 - Total - Station - 13.
Sub Inspector - However, the officer 9 Male – regretted the fact that the 8 Female – 1. colonial perception of
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 37 Photo STORY
Crusade agaiNst terror
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 38 humaNs iN uNiform
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 39 Photo STORY
humaNs iN uNiform
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 40 Photo STORY
West Bengal Government’s Safe Drive Save Life programme has enabled in significantly bringing down the number of accidents in the state.The number of road accidents in the state has reduced by 19.52 per cent safe driVe saVe life GUArdiNG PEACE
JAGADHATRI PUJA TO CHANDANNAGAR COMMISSIONERATE walkiNg that extra mile: from soCial meaNs to CommuNity CoNNeCt By Sourav Dey four more days of dazzling lights it is believed by Chandannagar and festivities to those who residents that the puja was ould it feel good if the belong there and also the started in the early 1750s and W festival of lights came twice spectators who visit the town the goddess continues to be in a calendar year? It sure would. from other places. worshipped by more than 250 This is where Chandannagar, The origins of the Jagadhatri puja committees till date. The with all of its history and puja as we know it remains festivity is visited by tens of colonial architecture, provides unknown even today. However, lakhs of people every year,
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 42 resulting in a real-time challenge — where the Puja takes place in for the police force involved to more than 250 places and those maintain peace and calm who visit here, visit them all.” throughout the festival days. “During the puja, the town is Although, a few days of closed from every direction,” the festivities for the common man DCP said. The officer also turns into a kind of overdrive for revealed that the spectators, who the police personnel, the latter travel by bus, train as well as work tirelessly day and night to launches, include many VIP maintain the law and order. personalities, such as judges, Added to that, this was the first prominent journalists and senior time when the Chandannagar bureaucrats. He also stated that Police Commissionerate handled despite the huge footfall, security such an event after being arrangements have never come established only a few months under scanner as the newborn ago. Considering the fact, Deputy Commissionerate, with the help Commissioner of Police, Sumit of the local police station covered Kumar, had a lot to talk about the approached it brilliantly. engagement of the force during “Our target was the spectators the famous festival in the town. who came here for pandal “Jagadhatri Puja is one of the hopping had to go through most important festivals here,” minimum inconvenience and no he said and added, “In the entire big law and order problem or West Bengal, the Jagadhatri crime arose out of the blue,” the Puja mostly takes place here. DCP said before adding, “For During the puja, people from this, we divided the entire area Kolkata and nearby districts visit into different clusters, every one the place. The record footfall of which had its own inspector.” every day stands at more than 10 He also elaborated that the lakhs, which is astounding. massive number of spectators These are very small places — caused the roads to close down, Chandannagar and Bhadreswar resulting in denying movement The Changemakers
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 43 GUArdiNG PEACE
of motor vehicles. For this reason, the Commissionerate decided to divide the area into clusters, with a huge number of police personnel to complement each cluster during the festivities. DCP Kumar also revealed that the Commissionerate made sure that the force patrolled throughout their clusters, paying special attention to crowd management. This made the existing police force to be more efficient and helped to keep the law and order intact. Regarding the clusters, DCP Kumar revealed that the Commissonerate underwent certain special procedures including crossing over the Ganges on ferries. “We also put some of our personnel in that zone,” he said before adding that this resulted in the contention of crimes along the river banks, which otherwise would not have been possible. “We also used our DD (Detective department) extensively to counter crimes in the ferry crossing as well as in other parts of the town. We also used almost 3,000 personnel during the festive season,” he revealed. The official also stated that technological monitoring, such as CCTV feeds and drones helped the police to control the crowds systematically resulting in huge success on the newly established Commissionerate’s part. Complementing the Deputy Police Commissioner’s statements, Assistant Police Commissioner IJA Rahman said: “We used a drone technology this year in the Jagadhatri Puja to monitor the crowd from the sky. A control room was established in the police station here and we also installed 120 CCTV cameras to monitor the
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 44 situation.” adding: “There is a particular before. What we do have here ACP Rahman also pointed concept about the police in are cases of rowdyism and out it was a challenge for the people’s minds, you know, but extortion. But, to be honest, police stations as well as the when one joins the department, the rate has significantly Commissionerate to it is a completely new and dropped these days,” he said. successfully fulfil their duties different feeling.” Talking about “On the other hand, regarding during Jagadhatri Puja despite the challenges the uniform crimes against women, we are the deployment of such huge brings, the Commissioner doing preventive policing. force because of the sheer mentioned about the There have been some cases number of people visiting the expectations of the common of theft and we are area. Apart from the people, which he defined as a monitoring the area very technological help, she complex yet must-do job for the carefully for that.” The officer maintained: “We used personnel. He also spoke about also pointed out to the motorcycle patrolling during the personal lives of police establishment of the the peak hours. This made a personnel, saying it might be so Detective Department as a huge impact on the criminals very hard to stay away from their means to handle urban as no big crime was reported.” families on festivities, but it is a crimes, which have been a She further added: “There was sacrifice the personnel are keen massive force to deal with the also police personnel in civil for the greater good of society. crimes in the ‘formative stage’ clothes to handle eve-teasing The Commissioner spoke of the Commissionerate. and petty crimes like those.” about community and social As pointed out earlier, the Although a new found police connect and revealed that it is Commissioner also elaborated on outfit, the Chandannagar high time for the uniform the new Commissionerate’s role Commissionerate has been doing holders to connect more and in community connect with some extraordinary work since more with society and those several initiatives. “There is an the day of inception. Talking living within it. “You see, since ongoing Safe Drive Save Life about all of it, the newly the past few decades, the police initiative. We have also appointed Commissioner of have become friendlier with the organized blood donation camps Police, Ajoy Kumar, discussed masses and I think we have to be as well as sporting events.” his life, job and challenges. even friendlier in order to work Commissioner Kumar also spoke A graduate of the 1993 batch, more closely and efficiently,” he about a certain incident where the Commissioner spoke about said. “We would also need the Rishra Police Station took how he opted to join the police cooperation from the public as I the initiative in the marriage of in his initial days. “The police is think the police should a helpless girl. He also revealed an outfit where the interface command respect, rather than that thoughts are ongoing in a with the public is very high demanding it.” rehabilitation process where compared to other services. Talking about the known criminals would get help Although there are challenging challenges during his time at to get back to normal life. With times,, it is important for me to the Commissonerate, a bright hope for a perfect future, reach out to the common Commissioner Kumar said he the Commissioner concluded people,” Commissioner Kumar did not have much difficulty that upon functioning properly said while talking about how he controlling the scenario in his after some time, he hopes to became the officer he is today. new-found jurisdiction. “We establish the new-found “I am the first police person in do not have many instances of Commissionerate as one of the my entire family,” the dacoity or violent crimes. It finest compared to its Commissioner says before has been dealt with from counterparts in the state. sPeArheAdiNG
ChiNsurah poliCe statioN: CarViNg a New NiChe By Our Correspondent
ith hardly two minutes of walking W distance from the newly founded Chandannagar Commissionerate and the Hooghly District Court, the Chinsurah Police Station operates within the municipal towns of Hooghly-Chinsurah and Bansberia. One of the most efficient police stations under the Commissionerate, it recently came into the limelight with the arrests of two persons carrying illegal firearms, associated
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 46 with the comparatively high finished my study, this was my helped the police during the profile case of Bhadreswar first job and since then, I am Durga Pujas, which he looks Municipality Chairman Manoj here,” Ghosh said. Answering forward to using in a more Upadhyay’s murder. With the another question to whether it efficient manner in the future. emergence of the newly found was his aim to join the forces, he Talking about his experience Commissionerate, the Chinsurah replied: “I never thought about with the local community, he police station has come under the it. But, it was the first said that the locals were helpful purview of a new limelight with opportunity I got and you can in the last Durga Puja, who its unique way of solving different say I am happy with my helped the police station to crimes and establishing it as an profession. I love this job and I mobilize volunteers. This example in the entire district. never thought about anything resulted in the police taking a The Officer-in-Charge of the else. To be honest, I also didn’t breath of air and keeping an police station, IC Nirupam have time to think about doing extra eye on the roads as well as Ghosh, spoke in detail about his other jobs. This is my mother on important junctions in the profile and the station’s day-to- district, I did my training here town. This helped the 12- day operations and challenges. A and after that, I joined up in manned police stations go an veteran with an experience of 26 Hooghly itself.” extra mile keeping the calm years under his belt, IC Ghosh Speaking on the jurisdiction, intact in their respective joined the force in 1991. A he added: “Our jurisdiction jurisdictions. “We have been doing some excellent work regarding connecting with the community here,” the IC said before adding: “We have organised multiple blood donation camps, football tournaments. There is a Safe Drive Save Life initiative ongoing between the children of schools,” he added. The Officer-in-Charge revealed that the jurisdiction of the police station has a mixture of crime and criminal activities. “In the town, there are certain small to moderate crimes although the resident of Asansol in the starts from Chandannagar in the activities of the criminals are Burdwan district, he has been South till Bandel in the North, minimal,” he said before adding appointed throughout the state the Ganges in the East and the that the rate of larger crimes has such as in North 24 Parganas railway station to the West. The gone down in the jurisdiction and East Midnapore. A area is around 52 square considered to previous years. He commerce graduate during his kilometer.” also stated that although the initial days, Ghosh spoke about The officer talked about station does not have any himself and how he ended up technological developments of specialised units, the officers have joining the force two decades his force in the station. He also been extremely cautious about the ago. Excerpts: maintained that CCTV footages different crime reports and have “I studied commerce. After I throughout his jurisdiction had dealt with those successfully. Photo STORY
CeleBratiNg Valor
Howrah City Police celebrated a cultural programme on the occasion of 7th Raising Day. In which children of Police families and schools of Howrah Police Commissionerate performed. Commendation and reward was given to 7 – ACPs, 8 – Inspectors, 1 – SI, 1 – ASI, 9 – LCs, 2 – HGs and 1 – CV. Good citizens of Howrah Police Chakraborty, Hon’ble Mayor, HMC, Smt. Commissionerate who have also V. Dalmia, Hon’ble MLA, Bally, Shri Vivek rewarded for they are helping the Police Sahay, IPS, ADG & IGP (Traffic), WB, Shri throughout the year. The ceremony was A M Ranade, IPS, IGP, CID, WB, Shri P. attended by Shri Prasun Banerjee, Pandey, IPS, Comm. of Police. Hon’ble MP, Howrah, Shri A. Chandannagar PC, Shri G. Sharma, IPS, Hazra,Hon’ble MP, Bolpur, Shri L. R. SP, Howrah (Rural), Shri S. Kumar, IPS, Shukla, Hon’ble MOS, WB, Dr. R. DCP (HQ), Chandannagar PC.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 48 The West Bengal PROTECTOR 49 FACe TO FACE
sumaN Bala sahoo: a true Blue Cop with a NoVel missioN
A mother, a friend, a distinguished officer of the Indian Police Service, an accomplished marathon runner and above all, an epitome of a modern Indian woman. That’s how Suman Bala Sahoo should be described. The Protector lists out the journey of this super cop since she joined the prestigious Indian Police Service in 1987 till date. Excerpts:
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 50 Growing up - interview panellists asked me Daughter of a government whether I would take IPS if servant, Sahoo grew up in Delhi. given the opportunity. My reply Her mother was a teacher. She was a firm yes.” did her Bachelor’s degree in zoology from Hansraj College, First Impressions – Delhi University. She pursued Her first impression of the her Masters in the same. Initially, magnitude of the Services and she wanted to become a lecturer how prestigious it actually comes and thus pursued and later on. “After I got my ranking successfully earned UGC and and IPS, there was this CISR scholarship for her M.phil, programme that came on which she duly completed but as Doordarshan titled “Premier fate would have it, it was her Institutions of India” and father who insisted that she coincidently during that time appear for the Civil Services they ran a story about National exams at least once. She took Police Academy. It used to air at Zoology and Botany as her two around 10 pm every night.” That main papers. was the first time she understood It is evident that managing what IPS entail. Her mother was two very academically a bit hesitant about her joining challenging goals is very the police services but imposing. When asked about ultimately, she had to yield to how she managed her time, she her daughter’s wishes. Her replied: “Most of my General worries continued when she Studies was done during the bus learnt that Sahoo would have to journeys to my college. I had to learn horse riding, swimming change three buses every day to and several other things that reach Hansraj College from my people rarely get acquainted home”. with in their normal lives. On the very first attempt, After the initiation of the Sahoo cleared prelims and the training phase, the officer mains but could not manage the explained and appreciated how interview round as the questions there was no leeway given to lady were much more intricate than officers in physical or academic what she had expected. Also, for training. The entire batch had to a brief period of time after the go through the same rigorous completion of her higher training irrespective of their secondary, she wanted to pursue gender. Mr. S. Ramakrishnan MBBS but did not do so after not was the A.D.O.D. of the NPA clearing it in one attempt. After during her stay there. She also the first Civil Services attempt, mentioned Mr. R. K. Johri who she continued her academic was the then Assistant Director. pursuits and deliberately kept Sahoo recalls 8 lady officers out her desire to appear for the same of their batch of 120. After the for the second time, a closely first six months, some of the lady guarded secret that she did not officers left to pursue different disclose to her own family as services and one got martyred in well. She cleared it in her second Manipur during probation and attempt. She got AIR 151 and finally, four lady officers was given the Indian Police remained in the 1987 batch of Service. She vividly remembers: the Indian Police Services. There “I clearly remember, one of the were about 24-25 senior lady
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 51 FACe TO FACE
required to investigate five cases, all of which come as a directive from the National Police Academy. Another important task that the officer is required to do is maintaining the cash book of SP office for seven to 10 days. During her first posting in Hooghly, people stood in awe as it was unprecedented for the masses to see a lady IPS officer. The love and affection Hooghly gave her always holds a special place in her. As a Delhitte, she initially had a hard time communicating in Bengali but the caretaker of her residence and his two children helped her out with primary books which provided pictorial representation whenever needed. As she remembered her initial days in Hooghly, she constantly laughed. She spoke about a primary teacher who refused to take money in exchange for teaching Bengali to the officer and how she insisted and maintained the protocol by giving him remuneration. However, the teacher took that money and bought cassettes of Rabindra Sangeet for her and also went on officers when she joined the focus on how important it is to to explaine the meaning of each Services. Theirs’ was the 15th understand how a police station song in an effort to grow her batch of the IPS since the works and its inner nitty gritties interest in the language. As we inaugural batch of 1972. as during this period after all know, Tagore is the epitome completion, the officer would of Bengali language and Bengali Training and learning the have to supervise these areas. If culture, incorporating his music ropes: one is not thorough with the in tutoring proved to be fruitful Officer Sahoo started her career police procedures and state laws, as Suman cleared the as an officer in Hooghly district, the task can be a very daunting departmental exam for Bengali West Bengal. At first, she was one. Minute details such as how in her first attempt. required to complete the many registers are there in a mandatory state training in police station to how D.I.B Professional life and Barrackpore for one month. works in an SP office — highlights: After that, she found herself in everything had to be learnt. The The officer has handled many Singur PS as a part of her rural thoroughness of the training can distinguished and challenging PS attachment and Sreerampore be sensed by the fact that the portfolios throughout her career PS as urban PS attachment. The officer will have to sit on the and continues to do so. Thus, we SP office in Chinsura is where Duty officer’s chair and write were curious to know how she she completed her attachment to GD’s for 10 days. The views her professional life and if the SP office. She continued to probationary officer is also there is any particular posting
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 52 that she thinks is more of society are keen on joining the opined that it cannot be tackled mentionable than the others. police force than middle-class only by police personnel. The She started off by stating that girls. During one of these trails, cops can and are taking sufficient every posting has its own set of she met a woman, a widow and a prevention. The police have the challenges and this diversity of mother of two who ran the advantage of prevention, workplace is what motivated her fastest because that woman had protection, detection but the to join the Police Service in the the hunger to provide a better general public needs to be more first place but there are few that future to her offspring. This aware and contribute to stood out for her. It included her passion made her run like that collective security. She also tenure as the Deputy and eventually she got the job. It added that crimes in general Commissioner (Special Branch), is the passion that is most terms are gender-neutral barring Kolkata Police. At the time of important. As far as the appeal of oddities and thus, not only her posting, there was no DG the police force is concerned, it is women but men too should be security. Thus, the entire security evident from the response that proactive in ensuring their set up was supervised by the the department gets highlighting protection. Deputy Commissioner. Every the charm of uniform is very much The officer spoke about the state visit, be it the Governor’s or alive and intact. need for gender sensitisation in any VIP or foreign dignitaries, our society and making sure that all were under the responsibility On rising crimes against the police as an organization does of the DC Special Branch. All women: not misbehave and maintain the political intelligence also ran Like the pragmatist she is, she utmost professionalism while through the DC. It required the on-duty officers to remain on their toes for 24 hours because the DC Special Branch is responsible for postings of all officers in plainclothes and a various other divisions. All this workload did have an impact on her personal life as she is also a mother, but she managed that as well. The officer was jubilant in sharing how far women have come in the Services and how more and more women are choosing this field as their profession. In the last IPS batch, there were 36 lady officers, which a resounding upsurge from that of her batch of just four. In her words: “I don’t only blame parents for lack of interest in policing. As far as women are concerned, I believe it is the women themselves who need to have more self-confidence and clearer goals.” The officer shared her experience as the chairperson of the board for female constable recruitment. She observed that girls from the financial outskirts
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 53 FACe TO FACE conducting a case. It is involved in a lot of ex-gratia creches in every district which important that before we look at work as well. Anybody wanting would be a huge help to the society, we must look into to take a loan for education, working police families. ourselves, she said. According to marriage and other issues are An officer with a distinguished Suman: “It is difficult to change provided with the same. The career, Suman has set an example society but we must keep trying. department helps in for all the young people out But before anything else, we remunerating the deceased there. Her colleagues and those should change ourselves. As an personnel’s family. These she serve always shower accolades organization, it is our duty to opportunities are available in for her professionalism and her make sure that our people don’t every district of the state. They dedication towards her duty. misbehave.” are also encouraging sports. And of course, beyond the During her posting in Lalbazar Twenty five percent of the cost confines of the printed word, a as DC (DD), she regularly held borne by the district in free spirit evolves and is nurtured weekly meetings with various organizing sports tournaments or everyday for the betterment of NGOs working on this very activities, is given by the Head this city and humanity. subject alongside many high- office and sometimes even more ranking police officials. These than that. As told to Subhajit Bhattacharya NGOs included the ones like Insurance is another aspect Swayam, Sanghita, etc. that she mentioned. The West When she was posted as SS Bengal Police Medical insurance (CID) then also she made sure to covers the entire family of any run gender-sensitization serving member. The Personal programmes particularly Accident insurance which covers focusing on sexual harassment at any personal accident provides workplace which was then newly Rs 6 lakh to the family of the introduced and also domestic deceased. A sum is also given in violence protection that the then case of grievous injuries. The government created legislation contractual personnel of the on. police force such as Home Guards and Sevaks are also Steps towards the insured under different schemes. future: The department has recently The officer is currently serving signed an MoU with the State as the DG (Welfare), West Bank of India for police salary Bengal Police. She mentioned package for a duration of three that since she joined three years years. This move has lead to back, she had changed many further advantages, as the bank is things. One of them is that there also providing personal accident were many funds such as sports protection of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 10 fund, welfare fund, etc which lakh, Rs 15 lakh as per salary were put in one place for better holder’s position. allocation and management and She has plans to incorporate a society was formed, named skill development under the West Bengal Police Welfare and aforementioned society and is in Sports Society. talks with the concerned The department has started to ministry. She thinks it would give student loans. Students help the wards of the police doing well in their Secondary personnel and even the Home and Higher Secondary exams get Guards and their families too as Rs 2000, Rs 4000 and Rs 6000 they could learn new skills from as scholarship based on their these proposed centres and create performance. new earning avenues. The department is also There are also talks for family
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 54 Photo STORY
utsarga : eVery drop CouNts
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 55 Photo STORY
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 56 GUest COLUMN elimiNatiNg oNliNe Child sexual aBuse By John Shehan Vice-President, Exploited Child Division National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
“Every day of my life, I live in constant fear that someone will see my pictures and recognize me and that I will be humiliated all over again. It hurts me to know someone is looking at them — at me — when I was just a little girl being his quote is part of a victim abused for the camera. I T impact statement which did not choose to be there clearly portrays the long-lasting but now I am there impact of a child’s sexual forever in pictures that exploitation. This crime is people are using to do sick exponentially compounded when things. I want it all the sexual abuse is recorded via erased. I want it all digital images/videos and shared stopped. But I am online. Many of these child powerless to stop it just victims, just like Amy in the like I was powerless to victim impact statement above, stop my uncle.” are now adults, living with the frustrating realization that their sexual abuse material is traded
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 57 GUest COLUMN online regularly among those large haystack. federal law enforcement in the with a sexual interest in children. As we began to carefully walk US as well as more than 100 “I want it all erased. I want it down this path, we learned of national police forces around the all stopped”. limitations with hashing world, including Europol and Can this be done? Does that technologies. Undeterred we Interpol. technology exists which can find presented this challenge to The widespread adoption a single image amongst millions several US-based technology of these technology tools speaks of others? If such technology companies such as Google, to the extremely precise nature does exist, can it be put to scale Facebook and Microsoft. Not in which technology companies against the billions of images surprisingly, they rose to the can voluntarily identify and stored online daily? How can challenge. A more robust remove child sexual abuse child sexual abuse images be imaging matching technology, material from the Internet. This isolated online while still called PhotoDNA was surgical-like precision considers respecting the privacy of developed. Since then the need to quickly and legitimate online users? This is a PhotoDNA has become one of proactively find the heinous complex issue to say the least but the most significant tools ever illegal material, while balancing as we learned, it can be done created in the reduction of child the privacy concerns of through the use of very precise sexual abuse material online. legitimate Internet users. technology that utilizes the Every year more and more US- However, we can’t stop there. power of hash values. based ESPs have adopted the use In 2017, a groundbreaking It started in 2006 when the of PhotoDNA increasing its tool was developed by the Technology Coalition and the success. Canadian Centre for Child National Centre for Missing and In the US, proactive scanning Protection to combat the Exploited Children (NCMEC) for child sexual abuse images is growing proliferation of child teamed up to help address this voluntary, but the reporting sexual abuse material on the growing problem of child sexual aspect is not. When a US-based Internet. The automated tool is abuse images online and an idea ESP becomes aware of child called Project Arachnid, which is was born. It started out simple. pornography on their network, a spider crawling the open NCMEC could provide hash they are required by law to Internet and the dark-web for values derived from child sexual submit a report to NCMEC’s web pages containing child abuse images that were CyberTipline. Fast forward to sexual abuse hash values. previously reported to its 2017, the voluntary NCMEC has partnered with the CyberTipline by Electronic implementation of child sexual Canadian Centre for Child Service Providers (ESPs). ESPs abuse hash value scanning has Protection on Project Arachnid could voluntarily participate and continued to grow, both in the and is providing hashes values compare the NCMEC hash number of companies utilizing and other technical support. values against hash values of this technology and the size of images that have already been the hash value list. In 2017, Over only a six-week period uploaded by users to their NCMEC’s CyberTipline received in 2017, Project Arachnid: platform. Images matching a more than 10 million reports and • Processed over 230 million hash value derived from child we have provided more than web pages sexual abuse images could be 500,000 child sexual abuse hash • Detected over 5.1 million removed by the ESP and values to the companies! 94% of unique web pages hosting child reported to the CyberTipline. It the CyberTipline reports sexual abuse material was an exciting concept that received in 2017 involved • Detected over 40,000 unique offered a technological uploaders of apparent child images of child sexual abuse opportunity to reduce the pornography from outside the proliferation of child sexual United States, including some in What is amazing about this abuse material online. While India. This increased volume has tool is that when child sexual exciting, everyone was cautiously evolved NCMEC into a global abuse material is identified, a optimistic as we knew this clearinghouse of information notice is sent to the hosting would amount to looking for a that make CyberTipline reports provider to request its very tiny needle within a very available to local, state and immediate removal. So not only
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 58 are technology companies armed NGOs, law enforcement and with the tools to ensure they are Internet companies have made a not hosting child sexual abuse huge difference in the lives of material, there is a cutting-edge children around the world and I tool that can spider the Internet, am proud to have been a part of find those images and send making these tools a reality. notices to those hosting NCMEC is enthusiastic about providers that may not be discussions that have taken place voluntarily taking steps to find and the interest that has and remove child sexual abuse been expressed to make content. CyberTipline reports available to In the 18 years that I’ve law enforcement in India to devoted my career towards child expand and further address the protection at the National issue of child sexual abuse Centre for Missing and Exploited images online. Children, I can confidently say that hash values of child sexual For more information about abuse material are the way the National Centre for Missing forward to eliminate the material and Exploited Children, please from the Internet. Together visit us at www.missingkids.org.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 59 FeAtUre
roads: the CoNNeCtiNg dots
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 60 By Our Correspondent uninterruptedly. driving practices. According to This is where traffic policing the statistics, there are about 1.5 oads are important comes into play. Traditionally, lakh deaths per year due to road R thoroughfares through the role of traffic police was one accidents and to curb down the which an individual reaches of ensuring smooth vehicular numbers, she launched this Point B from Point A, flow throughout the city but campaign on July 8, 2016, at connecting kids to their schools, ensuring road safety is somewhat Nazrul Manch in the presence of patients to hospitals, the a new concept. Chief Minister personnel from Kolkata and working class to their respective Mamata Banerjee launched ‘Safe West Bengal Traffic police and stations, so on and so forth. Drive, Save Life’ campaign transport department. The Hence, it is of utmost focusing on responsible road Protector spoke to Deputy importance that it flows behaviour and promoting safe Commissioner Traffic (South)
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 61 FeAtUre
Vivek Sahay to know more about the available tools under this order to promote this drive. the progress of this campaign, its programme: The police are using all the success and his take on the “We have been able to bring traditional media platforms campaign. down road accidents by almost and as well as new media to The officer started off by 17% and fatalities also by 17% promote road safety and mentioning how the Chief to 18%. The target being 10% responsible driving. He also Minister treated this as an annually, we have done better mentions how the traffic emergency and launched the than that. ” department is focusing on the campaign on a war footing and In road safety there are four E’s four D’s – in doing so, how she has put the — Education, Enforcement, issue of road safety in public Engineering and Emergency focus. Sahay mentions that there care. That is precisely why this One should is also the help from the Supreme campaign has multiple not be drunk Court monitoring committee to stakeholders. Emergency care has while driving. whom they have to report and to deal with the health One should compliance obligation as to the department, Engineering is not be instructions given by the concerned with mostly National drugged Supreme Court is concerned. It Highways Authority of India while driving. should be mentioned that the and Public Welfare Department One should Supreme Court in the last and the Traffic Police and not be meeting held in November Transport department is doing drowsy while praised the efforts of the state the enforcing. driving. government on record for its We have all seen the hoardings One should performance in the “Safe Drive, and posters around the city with not be Save Life” campaign. the slogan of ‘Safe Drive, Save distracted The officer mentioned how the Life’, the officer reiterated the while driving. West Bengal and Kolkata Traffic same and he explains that Police have managed to bring throughout the state every police down the number of road station is conducting quiz accidents and fatalities by using competitions and debates in
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 62 The police from this year assistance for procurement of these are very costly equipment onwards will focus on jaywalking traffic equipment and traffic and the Transport department is and lane discipline in addition to furniture” near about doubling their wearing seat belts and helmets. All these upgradations require assistance every year. The Sahay said:“We have 20-30% a sizable financial assistance and Transport department has accidents where pedestrians are the Transport department have provided assistance to the traffic the victim and our investigations been generous enough to provide worth of up to Rs 50 crores, have revealed that it is always the that. As of now, the procurement which is a very big amount. vehicle that is responsible”. has been divided into various It is essential that the people parts. Mentionable ones are The architecture of understand the concept of road traffic uniforms like raincoats the state traffic safety and how pedestrians are and umbrellas. Another one is also a part of it and it’s not only traffic furniture like guard rails, The entire state traffic safety about vehicles. Lane discipline spring posts and etc. The infrastructure is headed by “The is somewhat alien to the Indian Department also has monitoring State Safety Council”, chaired by driver, as we see in everyday devices such as breathalyzers, the Chief Secretary. traffic that people cut lanes Red Light violation detection In this council, there are as if it’s a fashion of some sort. cameras, number plate multiple stakeholders This makes traffic management recognition cameras and laser represented, such as Health and road safety much more speed guns and so and so. All department, PWD, Transport difficult.
Target to forming partners:
In policing terms, a target is a reference to the audience or people who are on the receiving end of a policy but this year the police have decided to incorporate targets of this SLSD programme as partners. The police will depend on and work with the community as for example if the teachers tell the parents, who have come to pick their kids to wear helmets then the police would be interested in making them partners and also if the kids tell their parents to wear seatbelts, he or she also becomes partner in this campaign. This community-driven approach will be the direction that the campaign will take in 2018.
Financing the new traffic
Sahay mentions: “I want to mention our immense gratitude to the Transport Department for their generous financial
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 63 FeAtUre and Police. There is also district face or to drink countering issues of potential law-breakers. The level safety councils, whose like drowsiness that drivers face towers will have monitoring secretariat is now proposed to be in early hours of the day. This capabilities as they will be the SP office. The officer initiative has already saved about equipped with state-of-the-art explained that since a place is 100 lives. As the fatality cameras and they will be manned required and as there is already a statistics from December 2016 as well by traffic personnel. predefined infrastructure and December 2017 have shown, Around 20 towers are already existing in the SP office, it would it is a great achievement because built and the target is to build be convenient and effective as here is an opportunity in 100 such towers by the end of well to make the office of the SP policing to save so many lives in 2018. the secretariat for district-level one initiative. The DG has already expressed
safety council, despite its As far as highway patrolling is concern about the perils of chairman being the District concerned, the department is stopping speeding vehicles at Magistrate. now focused on capacity police checkpoints. Thus, the building and adding more DG has plans to put about 42 Projects and seasonal highway patrol vans. In this camper vans which would be activities endeavour, funds from MP modified with a variable LADS and assistance from the messaging system with NPR The police are always engaging Transport department have cameras on top by the end of with the public and coming up resulted in building many 2018. This move would ensure with innovative ways to ensure watchtowers on the highways. the issues of police misconduct if road safety, one of them is during The purpose of the any and also hit-run offenders at December and months when watchtowers is to deter checkpoints as they would be in extreme fog becomes a serious motorists from engaging in full view of the cameras. problem, the police have put illegal activities and breaking The officer mentioned a about 250 checkpoints and they traffic rules as the presence of regular grievance that the are stopping vehicles to provide police makes a huge truckers’ association has put them water either to wash their psychological effect on the mind forth. It is too many irregular
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 64 checking points within very as “Black Spots”. Whenever state. Though it will take time short intervals by different these Black Spots are identified, but it can be said with assurance government agencies prevail. a team of traffic police, local that West Bengal police is The department is considering cops and PWD officers visit determined to make the roads the idea of creating around 150 them to investigate the reasons safe, leading the journey to attain fixed checking points where for it, also see if there could be a fulfilment. vehicles can be safely diverted blind spot or a curvature and stopped and checked. The problem in the road. Whatever department is also focused the problem is, these teams greatly on small vehicles resolve them and they do it conspicuity tapes so that even in continually. low light and high fog These are just some the conditions even the smallest measures through which the vehicles like rickshaws and cycles “Safe Drive, Safe Life” campaign are spottable. has been engaging with the The department has been public and reinforcing and collecting data on recurring reintroducing the concept of accident spots and they term it road safety to the citizens of the
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 65 VoX POP
‘more outreaCh programmes direCted towards speCifiC aspeCt of poliCiNg Needed’ By Our Correspondent This society is not static and thus, the social evils keep on evolving. To counter this ever-evolving nature of crimes and societal challenges, the police need to adapt and engage in capacity building and decide on the route to be acquired to attain such objectives. Excerpts from opinions of the GenNext:
sreyosee dutta (student, first year)- “Police personnel are there to protect us and poulami dutta (student) – that is precisely why it’s a problem when the “Police should be harsher towards perpetrators general public feels hesitant in engaging with of crimes against women and make sure that them. Hence, it is my opinion that cops should their dignity is not violated during cross- be perceived as friends rather than foes and to examination. Being a young woman and having attain that, the cop should highlight their been to the local police station several times, I humane side more often which would greatly just have one simple suggestion for them —cops help to reduce the unfounded hesitancy among should be harsher towards the perpetrators of the masses.” crimes against women.”
prarthona Bose (student)- timir das (student/musician) – “I will feel more safe and content if there were more “Community approach is best suited for today’s patrolling cars and more of a visual presence of police society as people should be more at ease while on the streets at night, which there is, but still there interacting with the police. The police are there to are plenty of areas where it’s a tad difficult to access. help us but sometimes their good deeds get The police should build up its technological capacity misrepresented and thus, there should be more so that when threatened, a victim can instantaneously outreach programmes directed towards this specific call on the law authorities and it will also ensure the aspect of policing”. timely response and prevention of a potential crime.”
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 66 sourav dutta (journalism student - final year) – abhi kumar dey (student)- “I think striking a balance between modernization “Police should be given the latest combat gear and and community outreach would be ideal for dealing every modern resource possible to fight today’s issues. with today’s challenges. As a resident of Kolkata, I Though I understand that in a democracy, police have noticed the slow but steady improvement in both should have more of a community approach that does the City of Joy and West Bengal Police’s capabilities. not mean that they have to deal with ancient tools The change is most certainly welcome but I do feel which were more suitable in yesteryears and have no that there is more that the cops can do especially in utility in today’s times. Modern problems require the sphere of traffic policing and the acute shortage of modern equipment.” personnel should also be dealt with seriously.”
madhurima sarkar (student) – sankhadeep das (Btech student)- “Patrolling should be increased at night to ensure the “Police personnel should be friendlier towards the safety of women and people in general and also there general public, especially in the rural areas and should be a female police constable so that a lady victim suburbs. As I belong to a rural area, according to me, can be attended to without any delay. As a resident of police in those areas should be more proactive in Howrah, I have had issues with the traffic situation pursuing more sustainable trust dialogues with the there for quite a few years now and there is also a general populace there. It would boost their cause to growing presence of eve-teasers. Though the proactive save lives and protect the underprivileged. For role of the concerned police station has curbed this example, if a mishap happens, locals would come menace to a great extent, it has not been able to forward and voluntarily help the police to the best of actually stop it. I believe, to deal with this social evil, their capabilities which in turn would make policing patrolling should be increased at night to ensure the in that particular area much easier. Thus, police safety of women and people in general and also there personnel should be friendlier towards the general should be a female police constable so that a lady victim public, especially in the rural areas and suburbs.” can be apprehended without any delay”. heALth AND FITNESS
One of the few perks of modernization, cellular devices or the mobile phones has been a great help to mankind. A small gadget itself, the mobile has helped every person in every corner of the world reachable at the touch of a few ChildreN aNd buttons. However, with all the advancements it has helped us achieve, the mobile phone has also smartphoNes: emerged as a device leading to radiation-related health problems. This generation’s children have been negatively affected, risking both theirs and our future in the process. Motivated to dealing with health problems of frieNds little ones, Peerless Hospital and BK Roy Research Centre’s leading paediatrician, Dr. Sanjukta Dey, explained the downside of the usage of mobile phones and other similar or gadgets by infants. “The radiation from a mobile is there. There have been many studies about it. But acting ethically on these is not possible. However, these studies have shown that the radiation from foes? mobiles can cause brain problems in infants.” By Sourav Dey One such study in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at the World Health Organization reached a conclusion that the 30 kHz-300 GHz electromagnetic waves is a ‘Group 2B’, which is a possible human carcinogen leading to cancer. Apart from cancer, Dr. Dey opined that neurological diseases, physiological addiction, cognition, sleep, and behavioural problems are all parts of the emerging mobile phone related problems for children. “A newborn’s brain develops very fast every day compared to that of adults. If an infant’s brain’s dividing cells are exposed to electromagnetic waves, it can cause more severe problems. You can see how medical problems like Autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) have increased these days.” Dr. Dey elaborated on the said topic. “Be it television or mobiles, the moving images are playing in a rapid sequence. And the continuity of watching these moving images can cause the dividing brain cells to get disturbed which in turn cause the brain to become hyperactive.” The paediatrician also stated that hyperactivity can lead towards sleeplessness for children.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 68 Cartoons and TV shows having an adverse effect on children For this generation, which is the first to be greatly affected by the electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones, many instances have been recorded where children are unable or are uninterested in orthodox methods of education. According to the doctor, she has faced several cases where parents have complained that their children have lost interest in reading books or writing on paper. “Children are being unable to keep their concentration intact in written words. Whenever they are reading a book or writing something, they cannot concentrate,” Dr. Dey said. She further elaborated: “A generation of hyperactive inattentive children is growing up who are probably going to be disturbed.” The doctor also spoke about kids losing interest going outdoors as an effect of cellular gadgets. According to the paediatrician, soap operas and cartoons, among other shows are consumed on mobile devices, making it difficult for children to distinguish between fiction and reality. “You see, a cartoon is showing a cat and a mouse chasing each other, hurting another with every possible tool. This is causing a negative psychological effect on today’s kids. They are growing up thinking hurting someone is alright.” She also indicated that parents are taking up a key role in this addiction, where parents feel their children are learning to cope with technological advancements these days along with an increased use of mobile phones by children. A debatable topic itself, it needs to be understood whether the use of cellular devices should be completely prohibited? Studies indicate that use of smartphones by children leads to a number of health problems as well. One thing is certain that the future of this generation, the decision makers of tomorrow, has to be protected at all costs. Something that needs to be looked into urgently is the rising use of smartphones and its impending problems in order to make our future safe and bright.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 69 stAr MAKER
In a candid chat with The Protector, Arindam Sil opens up about his perception of cinema, his competitors and how streaming has changed the concept of viewing cinema. Excerpts:
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 70 Are you bored with acting? in school and what I learnt was how to manage men. I went on No no, I still want to act. I am the importance of psychology, of to work in a corporate acting in Anjan Dutta’s new body language. A vast number of organisation. Coming from that film. But the problem is that in actors have no input in the role background, the way the this industry, everything works that they play. They do what industry worked shocked me on perception. Because I have my their director tells them to. Some initially. I created the first own production house, people others are good actors and software for budgeting a simply assume I won’t have any consistent with their work — production. They never knew time for acting. I am busy with Sudipta Chakraborty, Sohini what a “fund flow statement” direction now but at one point, I Sarkar or Anirban Bhattacharya. was. I started it. I faced some have played the best of characters These are people who think opposition in the beginning but and I didn’t get my due. Now, about the characters they play eventually, everyone fell in line. people compliment me on my and add things of their own. There was one person who acting. Where were they before That is my school of acting – an inspired me a lot – Anjan Dutta. He used to tell me: “it isn’t enough to criticise, you must ‘streamiNg woN’t lead by example”. I have tried to do exactly that. destroy CiNema, But creativity cannot be constrained to set working hours? it will oNly I am a very disciplined creative person. That has come from my extreme fondness for Satyajit streNgtheN it’ Ray. I have never worked with By Deepanjan Ghosh him but I have seen that 2013? Now, when I direct actor has to contribute. In my discipline still surviving in his people, I act out their parts and acting and the characters I have family. When Sandip Ray makes show it to them and even former played, my man-watching has a film, you can still see that Indian skipper Mahendra Singh helped me tremendously. I have discipline. Dhoni has complimented me on even used lines that I have heard my acting skills. people saying. In the present industry, who do you think is your You’ve played a wide variety You work in an industry that competitor? of characters. Some portions isn’t known for punctuality. I think anyone who is doing of a character come from a But you have a reputation for good work. Whenever I see good director’s brief but the being punctual. How have work, anything that inspires me, majority should happen from you managed this? I consider it as competition. We man-watching. I have always believed that you shouldn’t be living in a fool’s I had read Desmond Morris set your own standards. I walked paradise. Just because your films (author of The Naked Ape) when into an industry where I felt like are a hit now, you cannot permit I started acting. It was a deeply criticizing every bit of it. I was your standards to slip. disturbing read but it drew me from St. Xavier’s College which to psychology. I used to read taught me to be smart. And then Streaming video is big now. books on psychology when I was I did my MBA which taught me Are you thinking of stAr MAKER something purely for before. Streaming won’t destroy there? streaming? cinema, it will strengthen it. Oh yes! And I have to say, the With streaming services, the way the Kolkata and West concept of watching movies has Speaking of Game of Thrones, Bengal Police have helped me in changed drastically. Streaming it is a show which has my movies, it is unimaginable. provides a new avenue, for unprecedented budgets. But You won’t be able to shoot in a audiences and distributors. A in Bengali, we are always told bylane in Mumbai without film like Posto was sold for a that a smaller audience makes paying off the cops. In Kolkata, crore to a local web platform. such budgets difficult to we have shot Gunday and Meri Before Dhananjoy was even justify. Will that ever change? Pyari Bindu without any released, the rights had been Do the maths yourself. If problem. They simply asked us, bought by Amazon Prime. So I Hoichoi manages to get 5 lakh very humbly, if we wanted to was assured that the film was a subscribers in the next three donate something to the police hit because the money was home. years at the rate of Rs 1,000 per welfare fund and we did it so But that didn’t stop me from subscriber, that’s revenue of Rs gratefully. Without their pushing myself. When I make 500 crore. Will it then be very support, it wouldn’t have been movies, I will still make them difficult for them to create big- possible to stop traffic at with the theatre in mind but I budget spectacles? But then, Shyambazar 5 Point Crossing want to do experimental things there is no point in creating a for a shoot with Amitabh for web platforms that haven’t meaningless film with huge Bachchan. been done before. Bickram budgets. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, There can be no better friend Ghosh and I want to do a series for example, exploits grandeur. than the Kolkata Police. In on world music. It wouldn’t have He has great visuals but there is Malaysia, I had asked a been possible to do something some problem with his story- policeman for directions and he like this anywhere else. telling. We have grown up responded rudely. I realised how Streaming is a great thing if you watching films like Ben Hur. much more warm and cordial can take it positively, if you don’t Why should we settle for our cops were. In my city, cops go and create something as basic something like Padmavati? help people cross the road; they as “Dupur Thakurpo”. help the elderly deal with In an industry where loneliness. I know, because I Is the audience different from everyone avoids commenting work closely with Project streaming video? on politics, you are very open Pranam. The community No, such distinctions are in your support. Are you policing section of the Kolkata outdated now. Game of Thrones never afraid that your Police is absolutely incredible. I finds huge audiences in smaller comments may have have said this before and I will centres like Dhanbad and repercussions? say it again if they are allowed to Asansol as well. It isn’t like the No, because my support is work without political old days, where some films unconditional. I don’t expect any interference, Kolkata Police are would be made for rural quid-pro-quo from Mamata among the best in the world. audiences and some for the urban Banerjee and she is aware of it. crowd. If we can ride this wave, My focus is on my cinema. And And they have an immense then we can do something in our we all have just one life, should stock of stories own language that can find a we spend it cowering in fear? Oh yes! Rahasya Rabibar has huge audience. And this The weaker you are the more become extremely popular on popularity can spill over into people take advantage of you. Facebook. Supratim (Additional other areas. Before I made Projecting a certain amount of Commissioner Supratim Sarkar) Shabor, Shirshendu strength is needed and that who has been writing it is a very Mukhopadhyay’s books weren’t strength comes from extreme dear friend of mine. The book is especially popular. But when the honesty. being released at Book Fair film became a hit, the sale of his this year and I have already asked books shot up. Streaming will You have a long-standing for the rights to it. Rahasya allow us to break barriers and do relationship with the police. Rabibar is a web-series I would things which weren’t possible Is there any quid-pro-quo love to do.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 72 ProteCtors
krishNa sarkar – the ‘Butterfly womaN’ of BeNgal By Ranabir Bhattacharyya butterfly woman of Kolkata is SSKM Hospital, Krishna Sarkar indeed a fascinating one. A is now an integral part of he incredible story of senior staff nurse of OT, 'butterfly identification' in T Krishna Sarkar, the Cardiology Department at Bengal. Her journey in this
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 73 ProteCtors domain dates back to the Orkut fragile winged wonders of the butterflies. Subsequently, her days when scribbling down the natural world. In the beginning, personal quest for identifying pages online, she came across the Krishna mostly relied on digital butterflies also began. The world of butterflies, majestic yet data to gain knowledge on turning point of her life was indeed the day when she came in direct contact with Isaac Kehimkar, the 'butterfly man of India', an avid naturalist, photographer, teacher and prolific author. It has been more than a decade in the domain of photography and eventually Krishna Sarkar has won so many accolades. In 2014, she was invited by the forest department to work in Rajabhatkhawa Interpretation Centre in Buxar Reserve. In 2015, she was invited to work in a prestigious US Full Bright Fellowship project where she was assigned to find out whether there have been significant changes among butterflies due to climate change. The outcome of the project was exhibited in four metro cities in India and Krishna Sarkar was felicitated for her vital and invaluable contribution. The President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) herself congratulated her on stage. Krishna Sarkar is also credited with the discovery of new butterfly Hoary Palmer (Unkana Ambasa). There is a popular misconception that butterflies are not regularly seen in urban sectors. Krishna Sarkar clarifies in her own words, “For working professionals like us, it is not possible to venture our trips so often. You would be surprised to know that we click butterflies on a regular basis in areas like the Botanical Garden, the Chintamanimar Garden, the Rabindra Sarobar Lake, the Victoria Memorial, Mohorkunj etc. I remember, we had spent quality time in Barddhaman, Kalyani, Haringhata as well."
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 74 Anyhow, the whole aspect of ecology. I have conducted classes take care of it in the best butterflying isn't an easy task with kids in remote areas in interests of human civilization." either as Krishna Sarkar herself And importantly says, “You need to have ample enough, physical strength, stamina. the world today Sometimes we have to walk 10- needs more 15 km to click the perfect frame. and more Interestingly, there are certain enthusiastic butterflies like Tawny Rajah, persons like Duffer and others who dislike Krishna Sarkar flowers and don't prefer to sit on who flowers either." go beyond their No doubt, people of the normal activities calibre of Krishna Sarkar are to take interest in fighting tirelessly for raising the vast physical consciousness for the environment, conservation of nature. Krishna which throbs Sarkar looks very optimistic with Sikkim. I have seen their with life and activities of the present generation as admiration for nature. All is not creatures spelling out precisely she says, “Gone are those days lost. Mother Nature is indeed the varied beauty of Mother when people were not aware of beautiful and it is our duty to Nature.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 75 Crime FIGhTERS CyBer Crime agaiNst womeN iN iNdia aNd the laws WHY CYBER BULLYING SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AS A HOLISTIC TERM FOR CYBER HARASSMENT
Dr. Debarati Halder, Ph.D Advocate & Honorary Managing Director Centre for Cyber Victim Counselling (www.cybervictims.org/) Founder -Secretary, South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimology (www.sascv.org) Global advisory committee member, International society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence Associate Editor Book review- International Journal of Cyber Criminology (http://www.cybercrimejournal. com/) Associate Editor Book review- International Journal of criminal justice sciences (www.http://www.sascv.org/ijcj s/index.html ) International Editorial board member- International journal for crime, justice and social democracy (https://www.crimejusticejourn al.com ) Life member, Indian Society of victimology
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 76 In a recent academic conference A clear reading of the any other form of electronic where I was speaking on cyber definition of Jaishankar and the communication or watches or bullying, I got some ‘strange explanation provided by spies a person in a manner that questions’ as why I am not Stopbullying.gov would suggest results in fear of violence or covering topics like pornography that cyber bullying includes serious alarm or distress, in the and obscenity. To me, these conveying or posting of mind of such woman or questions were ‘strange’ because insulting, degrading, teasing, interferes with the mental peace I was delivering lecture messages in the victim’s of such woman, commits the specifically on cyber bullying. timeline, in groups or forums offence of stalking.” But to the individuals who asked etc. Bullying messages are also Seeing from the above the questions (and this group conveyed through one-to one perspectives we can see several included academicians and chatting mechanism. Bullying stages of cyber stalking: practitioners from women’s messages may typically be like “ rights group as well), this you are a liar”, or “you look The first stage of cyber seemed to be a genuine concern ugly”, or “ you are worthless”, or stalking can be Repeated as why cyber bullying does not “x is a black spot in the team”, or Pursuing mean cyber pornography, cyber “x is a big zero when it comes to obscenity, revenge porn, cyber trendy fashion” etc. Presently, The second stage can be data stalking or the concept of cyber India does not have any cyber mining and/or monitoring. harassment. bullying prevention law. However, it would be wrong to The third stage can be Decoding cyber bullying: say that cyber bullying happens creating threat /fear in the Many of us believe that cyber to children. Adults may also be mind of the victim. bullying is the holistic term to victims of bullying, including explain the concept of cyber workplace bullying. Repeated pursuing can be in harassment. In reality it is not. the form of sending /posting Cyber harassment or online So when does bullying messages which may not be harassment is a holistic term turn into stalking? insulting or degrading or which may include various types Often people confuse cyber annoying at the beginning. This of harassments including cyber bullying with cyber stalking. We is because the stalker (especially bullying. The term cyber at Centre for Cyber Victim in case of interpersonal stalking) bullying is defined as “abuse/ Counselling had provided a may not necessarily like to insult harassment by teasing or functional definition of cyber or humiliate his ‘target’. The insulting, victims’ body shape, stalking in our 2010 research main aim of the stalker may be intellect, family back ground, report which is as follows: to persuade the victim to enter dress sense, mother tongue, place “In one word, when ‘following’ into an emotional relationship of origin, attitude, race, caste, is added by Mens rea to commit where the stalker may be a class, name calling, using harm and it is successfully dominant figure. The messages modern telecommunication digitally carried out, we can say may turn insulting or degrading networks such as mobile phones cyber stalking has happened" when the process reaches the (SMS/MMS) and Internet (Chat (Halder &Jaishankar, 2010). third stage, i.e., when the sender rooms, emails, notice boards and S.354D of the Indian Penal wants the victim to feel groups)”(Jaishankar, 2009). Code (inserted via Criminal Law threatened. Stalking may adopt www.Stopbullying.gov amendment Act, 2013) defines the process of cyber bullying explains cyber bullying as cyber stalking as follows: when the victim refuses to abide “...... Cyberbullying includes “Any man who follows a by the ‘commands’ or ‘demands’ sending, posting, or sharing woman or contacts or attempts of the stalker. The later may then negative, harmful, false, or mean to contact such woman to foster start sending insulting, content about someone else. It personal interaction repeatedly annoying, degrading messages in can include sharing personal or despite a clear indication of order to create a fear of constant private information about disinterest by such woman or harassment and defamation of someone else causing whoever monitors the use by a the victim. Bullying therefore embarrassment or humiliation.” woman of the internet, email or changes into the phenomena of
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 77 Crime FIGhTERS cyber stalking when the bully porn. In case of revenge porn, the hurtful to the feelings of his becomes obsessive with his perpetrator may or may not family or other near relatives. victim and continues to post include bullying tactics to create Explanation 2.—It may amount hurting, degrading, insulting extra humiliation to his/her to defamation to make an messages as long as the victim victim. I have observed that in imputation concerning a does not start developing a sense several revenge porn cases, the company or an association or of fear; when he starts perpetrator may limit his act to collection of persons as such. monitoring his victim to see the posting to his own time line Explanation 3.—An imputation outcome of bullying or rather, to with a tagline indicating that the in the form of an alternative or see how far the victim is affected victim is of bad character, or may expressed ironically, may amount by bullying. create a fake avatar either in the to defamation. Explanation 4.— social websites like Facebook or No imputation is said to harm a Revenge porn and Twitter etc indicating that the person’s reputa¬tion, unless that bullying profile owner may solicit sex, or imputation directly or indirectly, Again, revenge porn and may upload the image to adult in the estimation of others, bullying can be completely networking websites where all lowers the moral or intellectual different forms of online images may be ‘consumed’ as character of that person, or harassment. Revenge porn erotica.Revenge porn and lowers the character of that “...... is an act whereby the bullying may be clubbed up only person in respect of his caste or perpetrator satisfies his anger when the perpetrator posts/sends of his calling, or lowers the credit and frustration for broken annoying, insulting, degrading of that person, or causes it to be relationship through publicizing messages to the victim or to a believed that the body of that false, sexually provocative group to humiliate the victim person is in a loathsome state, or portrayal of his /her victim by with the revenge porn content, in a state generally considered as misusing the information that i.e., after he has already created disgraceful.” he may have known naturally revenge porn and wishes to and that he may have stored in continue harassing the victim his computer, or may have with teasing messages. However, conveyed to his electronic device I would still not agree to call it by the victim herself, or may cyber bullying; it would be have been stored in device with categorised as defamation if seen the consent of the victim herself; from the perspective of and which may essentially have defamation laws. S.499 of the been done to publicly defame the Indian Penal Code which states victim.”(Halder &Jaishankar, as follows: 2013). “Whoever, by words either Revenge porn may necessarily spoken or intended to be read, or include unethical using of by signs or by visible images of the victim for taking representations, makes or revenge and creating a fake publishes any imputation As may be seen from the avatar of the victim which may concerning any person intending above, cyber harassment or signify the later as that of bad to harm, or knowing or having online harassment therefore is a character. Unfortunately many reason to believe that such bigger term which includes countries including India do not imputation will harm, the forms of harassment including have any focussed law to prevent reputation of such person, is said, cyber bullying. It is essential to and punish revenge porn. except in the cases hereinafter understand the differences However, several legal expected, to defame that person. because the terms may signify academicians including cyber Explanation 1.—It may amount different types of criminal or civil right activists in the US to defamation to impute civil wrongs and as such may have proposed revenge porn anything to a deceased person, if attract different types of legislations and such proposals the imputation would harm the punishments by courts of law. have been considered as legal reputation of that person if For instance, if a victim who has provisions to criminalise revenge living, and is intended to be encountered impersonation (not
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 78 amounting to revenge porn, but Indian Penal Code for recognised as offences, both may an ordinary impersonation impersonation(for example, Ss have different types of whereby his/her image had been 66D of the Information punishments. Further, the social used to create a profile in the technology Act, 2000(amended media websites may also have matrimonial site), he/she should in 2008), Ss. 416 & 417, 499, different reporting mechanism not report the incident as cyber 500 IPC, etc) . In case the victim for cyber bullying and cyber bullying to the concerned is a woman, the police may also stalking. website. It should be include provisions meant for However, cyber bullying still ‘impersonation’, meaning the harming the modesty of women remains in a grey area from legal perpetrator has unethically and (S.509 IPC). Similarly, in case of perspectives. More research is unauthorisedly used the personal stalking, the victim should needed to develop a good picture and information of the rather report the crime as universal understanding which victim to create harassment. stalking and not cyber bullying may help to demarcate why Depending upon the mens rea, because the legal provisions in cyber bullying be considered as nature of the profile and impact India do not recognise any Bad Speech. Further, research is of the same on the victim’s offence of cyber bullying, but also needed to create deeper reputation, the police may book prescribes stringent punishment demarcation between different the offender under various for stalking. Whereas, in other forms of online harassment for provisions under Information jurisdictions, where both cyber the purpose of better policy Technology Act and also under stalking and cyber bullying are developments.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 79 Photo STORY
DG & IGP, West Bengal inaugurate new building of SP office & Police Line of Hooghly Rural District Police.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 80 CariNg haNds
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 81 samaritaN help missioN
CommuNity BoNdiNg
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 82 Samaritan Help Mission completed three years of it Community Transformation project in 2017, Howrah City Police, Belilious Trust Estate, Government of West Bengal represented by the Honorable Minister Shri Arup Roy, Dr. Rathin Chakraborty Mayor Howrah Municipal Corporation, and Howrah City Police Represented by Shri D.P Singh (IPS) Commissioner of Howrah City Police has played a pivotal role in the transformation. The Community Transformation Project was started on 14th November 2014 to save the Dying I.R Belilious Institution from becoming a hub of Criminal activity, Garbage dumping Ground by the Local Populace.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 83 The West Bengal PROTECTOR 84 The Project was started under the Guidance of Shri Ajey Mukund Ranade (IPS) first Commissioner of Howrah City Police, and the guidance continues by Shri D.P. Singh (IPS) the 2nd Commissioner of Howrah City Police and within three Years It has created a bigger impact on the Society, by Creating an Opportunity for the Poor children to get quality english education of Tikiapara Bustee , providing Livelihood and Vocational Training for the widows, divorcees abandoned by their husbands, and now leading a respectable and life of dignity .Their children are getting free education, Primary Health Center ( Rebecca Belilious Charitable Dispensary) has been established for the poor population, Women have come under banking umbrella of SBI and their money are saved from the Illegal Chits funds
On 16th December 2017 Howrah City police Unveiled a Case study on the community Transformation project, followed by the inauguration of Kalpana Chawla Auditorium by The Shri Surajit Kar Purkayastha (IPS) Director General of Police West Bengal, The Director General Of Police clearly stated that Community social Transformation project by Howrah City Police and Samaritan Help Mission, has decreased the Crime rate of Howrah and Tikiapara, just because the awareness of education has risen among the poor population.
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 85 CoNtACts
LIST OF SUPERIOR OFFICERS Designation Tel: OFF OF WEST BENGAL POLICE Range DIG
Designation Tel: OFF "IGP, Burdwan Range" 2681-1488 "DIG, Midnapore Range" 03222-225440 DG & IGP 2214-5400 "DIG, Malda Range" 03522-255505 DG & IGP (Welfare) 2448-2411 "DIG, Jalpaiguri Range" 03561-220881 DG & IGP (O) 2479-4046 "DIG, Presidency Range" 2479-1940 ADG & IGP (Law & 0rder) 2214-5009 "DIG, Murshidabad Range" 033-2582-7679 ADG & IGP (Provisioning) 2479-4064 "DIG, Darjeeling Range" 0354-2257732 ADG & IGP (Admin) 2479-4021 "DIG, Bankura" 03242-251252 ADG & IGP (Ops.) 2479-4088 ADG & IGP (Estb) 2479-4025 "CP,SSP, SP, SRP" IGP (A) 2479-4031 "CP, Bidhan Nagar" 2335-8286 IGP (O) 2479-4045 "CP, Siliguri" 0353-2511210 IGP (HQ) 2479-4052 "CP, Asansol-DGP" 0341-2257260 IGP (Welfare) 2479-4023 "CP, Barrackpore" 2592-0030 IGP (HQ) - II 2479-4024 "CP, Howrah" "2641-2626, IGP (Mod & Cord) 2479-4034 2640-4001" IGP Personnel 2214-4778 "CP, Chandannagar" 2680-4827 DIG (A) 2479-4047 "SSP, Co-Ordination, DIG (P & W) 2479-4023 South 24 Pgs" 2479-3333 AIG(S) WB 2479-4058 "SP, North 24 - Pgs" 2542-3055 DY SP DG CR 2214-5823 "SP, Howrah Rural" 2661-6210 "SP, Nadia" 03472-252229 Criminal Investigation Deparment "SP, Murshidabad" 03482-250751/ 250753 "ADG & IGP, CID" 2479-1330 "SP, Hooghly" 2680-4827 IGP CID -I 2479-2955 "SP, Birbhum" 03462-255353 IGP CID -II 2448-8288 "SP, Purba Bardhaman" 0342-2662956 DIG CID 2479-1586 "SP, Paschim Medinipur" 03222-275609 DIG CID Spl. 2479-1830 "SP, Purba Medinipur" 03228-269580 DIG CID (Operation) 2479-1093 "SP, Jhargram" 03221-255192 SS CID-West 2479-2341 "SP, Purulia" 03252-222304 SS CID-Ops. 2479-2834 "SP, Bankura" 03242-250305 SS CID-Spl 2479-0162 "SP, Malda" 03512-252520 SS CID HQ 2449-9075 "SP, Dakshin Dinajpur" 03522-255321 SS CID SOUTH 2479-1409 "SP, Darjeeling" 0354-2257001 SS CID-North at Siliguri 0353- "SP, Uttar Dinajpur" 03523-246417 2574576/78 "SP, Jalipaiguri" 03561-230492 "SP, Alipurduar" 03564-256244 Zonal ADG & IGP "SP, Coochbehar" 03582-227755 "SP, Diamond Harbour ADG & IGP North Bengal 0353-2546553 Police Dist." 2480-1616 ADG & IGP South Bengal 2479-1573 "SP, Baruipur Police Dist." 2433-0010 IGP Western Range 0343-2562787 "SP, Sundarban Police Dist." 03210-255701 "SP, Kalimpong" 03552-255359 "SRP, Sealdah" 2556-8007 "SRP, Howrah" 2640-3600 "SRP, Kharagpur" 03222-229100
The West Bengal PROTECTOR 86