CM Mamata Banerjee on February 28 launched all-women police booths and a women’s mobile patrol team to strengthen women’s safety and security in the city. The services are aimed at aiding working women, especially those travelling at night after work. It will be run by the women’s wing of the Kolkata Police. Kolkata Police is launching two more initiatives. First, several all-women pink booths at key city intersections will be commissioned and be operational from evening to midnight. “Second, several ‘SHINING’ (as I have named them) all-women mobile patrol teams will be on duty from 8pm to 2am, patrolling EM Bypass and other major city roads, Mamata wrote on X.
Charging stations for police vehicles
The Kolkata Police has decided to set up 25 charging stations for police vehicles across the city at the cost of Rs 2.5 crore. This would expand EV charging infrastructure across five police stations along with battalion and divisional police facilities as part of its effort to promote the modernisation of police vehicles, cleaner mobility within public services and austerity measures. Sources at Lalbazar, KP HQ, said that it has floated a tender in connection with selections of lowest bidders for setting up of the charging stations. Under the initiative, 25 fast-charging stations are proposed to be set up at police stations, battalions and other operational facilities.
Tea garden reopens after four die in accident
Two days after four women workers of the Bharnobari tea estate, located in Hasimara under Kalchini block of Alipurduar district in north Bengal, died in a road accident on their way to another tea estate for work as casual labourers, the garden reopened on Monday. Located more than around 50 km from Alipurduar town, the reopening has brought relief and joy to its nearly 700 workers on the eve of the Holi festival. On February 28, some women workers were cycling along NH48 to work at another tea garden. A car headed towards Jaigaon rammed the cyclists, killing four on the spot and injuring three others.
Subhendu Maiti
Our correspondent in West Bengal
subhendu.maiti@newindianexpress.com