West Bengal Revives WWII Era Sirens

West Bengal government repairs WWII-era sirens to ensure defence preparedness amid heightened security concerns.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Following a directive from the Union Government to assess defence preparedness, the West Bengal Government is scrambling to repair sirens installed in various locations across the state.

These sirens, originally set up to alert citizens to any danger, were first installed in Kolkata during World War II.

Many long-time residents remember that these sirens would regularly sound even after 1971, when Kolkata, then Calcutta, played a pivotal role in the military operations that led to the dismemberment of Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh.

Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian armed forces against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was followed by a meeting of all Chief Ministers with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.

Following this meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed all departments to ensure "preparedness to face any situation." She also announced that the leave of all government officers would be cancelled, and those already on leave would be required to cut short their holidays and report for work.

The Union Home Ministry has also ordered mock drills to be conducted in various locations for the safety of citizens.

The Indian Government has requested that war sirens be kept ready in every sensitive district.