On Bakr Eid, security stepped up at mosques, temples

8220;The Kolkata police have deployed more than the usual number of personnel today,8221; said Mohammed Shafique, Imam of Nakhoda Masjid. With a capacity of 10,000 people, the mosque has three gates. While four to five policemen were posted at the main gate, many others were scattered around the mosque. 8220;Other than deploying extra personnel, we have also been frisking devotees,8221; said an inspector.

Tipu Sultan Masjid also saw additional deployment of policemen with cycles, cars and vans not being allowed in its vicinity. 8220;Four guards have been posted at the masjid8217;s two gates. Though we have not arranged for security, the Kolkata police have tightened its arrangements,8221; said Hafi Mohammed Harun Rashid, deputy Imam.

Kalighat, which attracts around one lakh visitors on special occasions and a quarter less on usual days, also saw more police personnel than usual on Tuesday.

8220;The officers are manning all the four entrances to the temple. Since we have a crunch of women police officers, we have deployed women civic police personnel instead,8221; said Deb Kumar Mukherjee, Officer in-Charge NSB, Lalbazar.

He added: 8220;We have 50 police officers guarding the temple and every bag is being checked by metal detectors. Vehicles are not allowed to be parked in the vicinity of the temple.8221;

8220;Today, prayers were offered in 50 places across the city. Therefore, we needed to step up security arrangements,8221; said Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Vineet Goel.