By NNN-Bernama,
Kolkata, India : Stepping up security measures for Nandan Cultural complex, the main venue for Kolkata Film Festival, West Bengal government has decided to ban unauthorised entry into its premises where many foreign delegates among others are scheduled to visit the annual film show beginning November 10, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
“This time, we have decided to ban entry of persons not holding valid entry passes or tickets. Parking of cars within and around the main venue will also be restricted,” Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty told newsmen.
Earlier, he held a meeting with Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen, Kolkata Police Commissioner Goutam Mohan Chakraborty, Nandan director Nilanjan Chatterjee and other officials of the Information and Cultural Affairs department which is organising the festival.
“We must tighten security. There will be so many foreign delegates,” the chief secretary said.
Asked whether these measures were being taken following a security alert, Chakraborty said although there was no specific alert, the government was not taking chances.
A section of prominent city intellectuals nearly disrupted the 13th Kolkata Film Festival In 2007 by staging noisy protests at the complex against the reclaimation of Nandigram by armed Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) cadre which the Chief Minister had termed as a ‘sunrise.’