Security review in Siliguri ahead of high-profile five-day legal awareness drive
Siliguri — West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta on Tuesday carried out a detailed inspection of Kawakhali ground as preparations accelerated for a five-day public awareness programme on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The event, organisers say, will also be attended by the state Chief Minister, and is intended to explain the key provisions of the new criminal laws through plays and other outreach activities. With a sizeable crowd expected at the open ground, the DGP met local police and administrative officers to finalise arrangements covering security, crowd management and traffic regulation.
"Officials said Gupta reviewed the stage, entry and exit routes, parking arrangements and other security-related aspects of the venue."
During the on-site review, senior police officers outlined plans for access control, screening points and dedicated routes for VIP movement. According to officials, teams have been assigned specific responsibilities for crowd flow, medical contingencies and coordination with municipal and transport authorities.
- Venue: Kawakhali ground, Siliguri
- Event: Five-day public awareness programme on the BNS
- Principal guests: Union Home Minister Amit Shah; West Bengal Chief Minister (to attend)
Police and administration were reported to be working on a layered security plan that includes a combination of physical barricades, staged entry points and designated parking slots to avoid congestion on adjacent roads. Traffic police have been asked to map diversion routes and signal changes in advance to reduce disruption for daily commuters and local businesses.
| Focus area | Measures reviewed |
|---|---|
| Stage and VIP area | Access control, sanctity of VIP corridor |
| Entry/exit points | Screening, crowd flow management |
| Parking | Designated slots, traffic diversions |
Officials emphasised the need to ensure no lapses in security during the programme. With cultural outreach — including plays and demonstrations — forming a core part of the awareness drive, organisers want the legal changes to be presented in accessible language so that families and ordinary citizens in Siliguri and neighbouring areas can grasp the implications.
The presence of a Union minister and a Chief Minister at a single venue necessitates enhanced coordination among central and state agencies. The DGP's visit underlines that cooperation: senior police and district administration were reported to have held operational briefings following the inspection, and specific teams were tasked with responsibilities for communications, medical aid and emergency response.
Residents in and around Kawakhali are likely to experience temporary traffic restrictions and enhanced security checks during the event days. Commuters have been advised to plan alternative routes and follow instructions issued by traffic authorities once the final logistics plan is publicised.
The five-day programme is scheduled to use creative and community-oriented formats to familiarise the public with the BNS and related legal changes. Local cultural groups and civil society stakeholders have been invited to participate in outreach activities intended to demystify the new statutes for ordinary citizens of the region.
Further announcements on timings, road closures and public access are expected from district authorities as the inauguration date approaches. Police have reiterated that public cooperation will be essential to ensure smooth conduct of the awareness campaign and to prevent inconvenience to daily life in Siliguri.
