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Unprecedented security at Kolkata hotels

KOLKATA: Hotels in the city have arranged for unprecedented security during the ongoing festive week to thwart any possible terror attack.

This comes in the wake of the attacks on two posh hotels in Mumbai on November 26 and inputs from Central intelligence agencies warning of possible terror strikes in the city during the week.

Some of the hotels with discotheques are expected to see high footfalls during this season. “We are strictly following the security guidelines set by the Kolkata Police for the festive season,” a city hotel insider said.

The police have prescribed stringent security norms. “Installing metal detector frames at all entry and exit points and CCTV cameras at vantage points in the hotels, restaurants and discotheques and individual frisking of all boarders and guests have been made mandatory,” Vineet Kumar Goyal, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters), said on Thursday.

Along with checking the baggage of every boarder, the hotel authorities have been asked to check their identity proof and also run a reference check of their backgrounds.

Mr. Goyal said special security arrangements have been stipulated for the parking lots too.

“The hotel authorities have been advised not to let any car inside the premises without thorough checking. Recurring checks of the parking spaces are also recommended,” he added.

“Those hotels with discotheques have been asked to keep a check on overcrowding to avoid any untoward incident,” he said.

He said plainclothes police personnel would keep a watch on the crowd along Park Street, where many of the hotels and restaurants are situated.

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