Kolkata, 15 October (H.S.): To prevent the distress of losing a loved one in the overwhelming Durga Puja crowds, the Kolkata Police is rolling out a special initiative named 'Bandhu Kolkata' starting Thursday afternoon, marking the occasion of Panchami. Recognizing the vulnerability of children and senior citizens who frequently get separated from their families in heavily congested pandals and streets, Lalbazar officials will flag off ten dedicated patrol vehicles to monitor various parts of the city and provide immediate assistance.

The initiative has been developed in collaboration with several state government departments and non-governmental organizations. Operating across all ten police divisions from 4 PM, each 'Bandhu Kolkata' vehicle will be staffed by a Sub-Inspector or Assistant Sub-Inspector, a male constable, a female constable, and an NGO worker. The police have adopted a specifically child-friendly approach to comfort bewildered and frightened minors. The interiors of the vehicles will be decorated with balloons and stocked with chocolates and chips to help calm rescued children while the officers interact with them in a friendly, reassuring manner.

Once a missing child or elderly person is located, the patrol team will escort them to the nearest police station. Children will be accommodated in specially designed child-friendly rooms and looked after by female police personnel to ensure they feel safe and comfortable. Simultaneously, a robust communication network will be activated across the city. If guardians report a missing person at any puja pandal or police kiosk, the information will be immediately circulated to all police stations in Kolkata to facilitate a swift reunion. Police officials confirmed that the 'Bandhu Kolkata' vehicles will continue their intensive patrolling until the early hours of the morning to ensure no lost individual is left stranded on the streets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh