Kashmiris in Kolkata completely safe: New police chief

Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) Amid reports of sporadic violence against Kashmiris from across the country following the Pulwama terror attack last week, the Kolkata Police on Tuesday asserted that the people from the Valley residing here were "very safe" as adequate security measures had been taken for their protection.

"They are very safe here. I have just had a review meeting with my officers. We have identified pockets where these people are staying. We have interacted with them and given them protection. I believe they are completely safe in the city," new city police commissioner Anuj Sharma who took charge on Tuesday told reporters at the state police headquarters Lalbazar here.

A Kashmiri doctor, living in Kolkata for the last 22 years, had said a group of people turned up at his place on Friday and threatened him with dire consequences if he did not leave the city.

An FIR has been lodged against the accused on the basis of the doctor's complaint.

When asked about alleged rumours regarding child lifters in certain pockets of the city and districts, the officer said they will put special focus on those areas and hold mass awareness programmes against "planned efforts" to create law and order problems.

Incidents of mob attacks on strangers have been reported from certain Bengal districts, like South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Nadia in the last few days.

Sharma who took over from the former top cop Rajeev Kumar lauded the performance of the city police department, but said there would be more focus towards ensuring women's safety.