The advisory issued recently and posted on the Kolkata Police website has been sent to all hotels and restaurants. It speaks about a number of precautionary measures to be undertaken by the foreigners. One of the 12-point advisories read: “... Never take advice of taxi drivers regarding your stay/tourism. Please strictly believe in the information of police officers on duty...”

The police said there are number of police officers who are deputed — in uniform — outside the arrival hall and parking area of the hotels. The foreigners should contact these officers and inform about the “undesirable elements” and touts, they said.

Driver convicted for murder
While two months ago CITU members brought the city to a standstill to protest against the arrest of bus drivers under non-bailable offences, a lorry driver was convicted on Wednesday under Section 302 of IPC for mowing down a traffic guard. According to the Kolkata police, this is a first case where a driver was convicted for murder.

The incident took place on July 14, 2005. Samarendra Nath Saha Mondol of South West traffic guard, posted at the crossing of Ramtanu Lahiri Street and Diamond Harbour Road, signaled a lorry to stop after it violated a “no entry” sign. After driver Mehadi Hassan Bhandari stopped the vehicle, Mondol asked his licence and other papers. Bhandari, however, switched on the ignition. Noticing that the driver was trying to flee, Mondol came in front of the lorry. The lorry, however, knocked down the sergeant and fled. — ENS