Border checks, loudspeaker crackdown: Suvendu govt first directives to Bengal cops

Kolkata,UPDATED: May 13, 2026 16:07 IST

A slew of instructions was issued to the West Bengal Police after a law and order review meeting chaired by newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Monday, with the administration ordering fresh scrutiny of 2021 post-poll violence cases, stricter enforcement against illegal cattle trade and slaughterhouses, tighter border coordination, and action against high-volume loudspeaker use in religious places and public events.

According to the directives issued after the meeting, police officials have been asked to reopen and thoroughly investigate 2021 post-poll violence cases wherever lapses in investigation are found. The government said there were “serious complaints” regarding the earlier investigations into political violence linked to the 2021 Assembly elections.

The order stated that Final Reports (FRTs) submitted in connection with post-poll violence incidents must be reviewed carefully and necessary legal action taken wherever required. Police have also been instructed to review General Diary Entries (GDEs) and petitions linked to such incidents and register fresh cases if cognisable offences are detected. Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have been directed to personally supervise investigations and monitor trials.

The state government also ordered strict action against illegal cattle markets, illegal slaughterhouses, and illegal mining activities operating across different jurisdictions. Police officials were instructed to ensure that licensed and legal cattle trade and mining operations function smoothly without interference from local rowdies, touts, or extortionists. The administration further directed officers to strictly enforce the Animal Slaughter Control Act, 2014.

The directives also focused on border vigilance and intelligence sharing. Police stations located near border areas will now conduct regular coordination meetings to identify active criminals and border touts, share intelligence inputs, and review follow-up actions. These meetings will be held every month at the police station level and every three months at the SDPO level, while the IG, IB (Border) will maintain records of the meetings.

The government also launched a statewide crackdown on illegal arms and explosives. Officers-in-charge and inspectors-in-charge were instructed to physically verify all seized weapons and ammunition stored in Malkhanas with official records by May 15, 2026. SDPOs and DSPs will begin inspections of Malkhanas from May 16 for two weeks. Extensive seizure drives targeting arms and explosives will also begin from May 16, with daily reports to be submitted to the ADG, CID.

Traffic enforcement also figured prominently in the review meeting. The administration instructed the Traffic Wing and local police stations to conduct special drives to ensure mandatory helmet use under the Motor Vehicles Act. The ADG, Traffic, West Bengal, will compile and monitor enforcement data regularly.

The new government also directed police to strictly enforce rules governing the use of loudspeakers across the state. Officials were told that loudspeakers must not be played at high volume in temples, mosques, religious gatherings, or public programmes in violation of High Court orders. The administration warned that strict action would be taken against violations involving high-volume loudspeaker use.

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