Security stepped up across West Bengal for Diwali, Kali Puja

Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) West Bengal Tuesday celebrated Diwali and Kali Puja amid beefed up security with police patrolling intensified in sensitive areas and before vital installations.

"We have enhanced security throughout the state. Apart from pandals (marquees), security has been tightened at railway stations and other public places also," Raj Kanojia, inspector general (law and order), told IANS.

'An additional force of 2,000 policemen has been deployed for this festival in the state,' Kanojia said.

Diwali, festival of lights, is celebrated across India to welcome the goddess of prosperity and Kali Puja is celebrated in West Bengal on the same day to pay tribute to the Hindu deity of power, Kali.

These festivals are associated with burning of crackers. But for the last few years there was a ban on crackers with high noise density, which is holding good for this year too.

"We have taken the same security measures that were in force for Durga Puja. We have also deployed civil dress policemen to keep an eye on the proceedings. We have deployed an additional 13,000 policemen in Kolkata for the festival," said Vineet Goyal, the deputy commissioner (headquarters) of city police.

There has been no untoward incident till now, Kanojia said.