Following the Delhi blasts, the Kolkata Police officials are not ready to take any chances with the security arrangements. With Durga Puja around the corner, the have braced themselves up to provide a safe festive experience to the people.

Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti, made rounds of the various malls of the city on Sunday evening to oversee the security arrangements.

An alert has been sounded in Kolkata after the Delhi blasts and security at vital installations has been beefed up. Police are, however, worried about the security in the marketplaces, as Saturday’s blast in Delhi and the ones in Jaipur had taken place in busy market areas.

Although Kolkata is not on the list of terrorist organisations and there is no specific threat to the city, the officials are on their toes, scanning through the malls and market areas, given the fact that Puja shopping has picked up over the last few days.

“Most of the malls have their own security personnel. Though there are some shortcomings, like retired police personnel being recruited as guards, the malls are trying their best to meet the security standards stipulated by us,” said Vineet Goel, DC (Headquarters).

He added that DCs of the five divisions are making regular rounds and special teams have been constituted for making random security checks.

“These teams will move around the city and conduct sudden checks. Plain-clothed policemen have been asked to make rounds of busy markets,” said Goel.