Kolkata, Sept. 24 -- In a move to protect citizens from extortion during the festive season, the Kolkata Police has announced a strict 'zero tolerance' policy against the forceful collection of festive donations or subscriptions.
With just a few days ahead of the Durga Puja, the committees across the city are collecting donations from their respective localities. Though no official complaint has been received regarding any forceful demand for donations, the police issued a warning well ahead, stating that nobody can pressurise any citizen for a donation or a specific amount.
In the earlier years, several complaints had come from across the city regarding forceful collection of donations. Taking lessons from the earlier years, Kolkata Police has launched a dedicated round-the-clock toll-free helpline number, 1800-345-5678, to ensure public safety.
Additionally, citizens can send text messages or evidence directly to a dedicated WhatsApp complaint number at 94326-24365. Sources said that all the Puja committees have been informed not to put pressure on anyone for donations and of the consequences if the order is found to be violated.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.