Kolkata Police are upgrading their riot-control and law-and-order equipment to match the standards of India's central armed forces [1].
The initiative aims to improve operational effectiveness and officer safety during riots and large public gatherings [1]. By aligning equipment quality with national standards, the city seeks to reduce vulnerabilities during high-tension crowd-control scenarios [2].
Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda has formed a five-member expert panel to oversee the process [1]. This team is tasked with assessing current equipment quality and identifying the necessary gear for procurement [2]. The panel will specifically look at tools used by the Delhi Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other central armed police forces to ensure comparability [3].
The move follows directives from the West Bengal government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that Kolkata Police should be equipped with gear comparable to that used by Delhi Police, CRPF, and other central armed police forces [1].
The procurement process will focus on enhancing the protective and deterrent capabilities of the force. The expert panel will evaluate various types of gear, including shields, helmets, and batons, to determine what is required to meet the specified benchmarks [1]. This modernization effort is intended to ensure that the city's police force can handle civil unrest with the same technical proficiency as federal agencies [3].
“Kolkata Police should be equipped with gear comparable to that used by Delhi Police, CRPF, and other central armed police forces.”
This modernization effort indicates a strategic shift toward professionalizing urban crowd control in West Bengal. By benchmarking against the CRPF and Delhi Police, Kolkata is attempting to close the technical gap between state police and federal paramilitary forces, likely in anticipation of more complex urban security challenges.
