Kolkata: New Town residents write to cops, demand safety upgrade

KOLKATA: A citizens’ collective in New Town has written to the local police to implement more measures for the safety of the residents of the township after the shootout at Shukhobrishti in New Town in broad daylight on Wednesday.
They have also said that the local residents are very anxious over the prevailing law and order in the township where petty crimes keep happening from time to time.

Several residents are even suggesting measures to plug security loopholes on the township’s social media accounts.
“We would like to draw your attention towards the anxiety fear among the residents of New Town over the prevailing law and order. Since it’s a developing township people from across the country are coming here to stay. The police must develop a mechanism so that antecedents of people coming here to stay are checked. We as local residents promise you of all help,” said a letter written by the New Town Citizens’ Welfare Fraternity to the police.
Before writing the letter, heads of several residents’ association held an informal review meeting soon after the shootout at Shukhobrishti on Wednesday.
“The incident has shaken every resident of the township. Many families have made New Town their home for a better and safe quality of life but incidents like this strike fear in the hearts of the residents. Petty criminal activities also keep happening which is unsettling for us. We have requested the administration to make sure that the law and order in the township is improved so that the residents can live peacefully,” said Samir Gupta, secretary of the New Town Citizens’ Welfare Fraternity.
Several residents have suggested that the flat owners must meet the tenants before letting them in to ensure that the right person is taking the possession. Others have emphasised on a more robust tenant verification process involving the police.
“There should be more police checkpoints in various parts of the township to keep a vigil along with more CCTV cameras at strategic locations. The existing police stations can be bifurcated for more police stations to improve patrolling and law and order activities,” said Abhishek Ghosh, a resident of Eastern High in New Town.
Several complexes have their own set of rules for letting out flats which they are now reviewing. Almost 30% of apartments in the township are occupied by senior citizens.